Estimativa de parâmetros de crescimento celular, agitação e transferência de oxigênio em cultivos de Kluyveromyces marxianus em suco de caju visando a produção de 2-Feniletanol

Abstract

2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) is an aromatic alcohol with a rose-like fragrance, extensively used in the cosmetics, fragrance, and food industries. Its production can be achieved through various pathways, including biotechnological methods, where fermentation of a substrate, such as cashew juice, is carried out using a microorganism Kluyveromyces marxianus. However, this process is influenced by multiple factors, notably the composition of the culture medium, agitation, and aeration. Despite being a promising alternative, the low yields obtained still hinder the widespread implementation of this alternative production process. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate crucial parameters related to cell growth, agitation, and oxygen transfer using mathematical models and correlations to enhance understanding, optimize the process, and enable subsequent scale-up of production. Parameters related to cell growth were estimated based on stoichiometric analysis, charge balance, and reaction thermodynamics, with the calculated values suggesting a divergence from experimental results. The agitation and mixing process were simulated using the VisiMixTM software, enabling a comprehensive fluid dynamic analysis of the process. Finally, the study identified the most suitable correlations for estimating kLa, a key parameter in the process.