PROCESS FOR MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATION USING IMMOBILISED CELLS, AND IMMOBILISED CELL SYSTEMS

摘要

This invention comprises a process for the microbial transformation, e.g., oxidation, esterification or hydrolysis, of a substantially water-immiscible organic substrate wherein a microorganism species capable of effecting the required transformation of said substrate is located on a porous, water-bearing, particulate inert support, suitably an inorganic oxide, the pore size being greater than the mean diameter of the micro-organism, thereby forming an immobilised system in which the micro-organism has an aqueous environment, and the immobilised system is contacted with the substrate and a source of the appropriate reactant, such as oxygen, acid and alcohol or water. The invention includes also an immobilised cell system suitable for use in the foregoing process comprising a micro-organism capable of transforming a substantially water immiscible substrate supported on a porous, water-bearing particulate inert support having a pole size greater than the mean diameter of the micro-organism.