Publisher's Synopsis
Immobilized microbial cells have been used extensively in various industrial and scientific endeavours. However, immobilized cells have not been used widely for environmental applications. The text Analytical Applications of Immobilized Microbial Cells examines many of the scientific and technical aspects involved in using immobilized microbial cells in environmental applications, with a particular focus on cells encapsulated in biopolymer gels. Some advantages and limitations of using immobilized cells in bioreactor studies are also discussed. In first chapter, we demonstrate a new process for carbazole biodegradation employing magnetically immobilized cells. An improved and simple method for the immobilization of Sphingomonas sp. strain XLDN2-5 in magnetic gellan gel beads was developed, and the stability and activity of the biocatalyst for the degradation of carbazole were also evaluated. Second chapter focuses on toxicity of DON3G using yeast and algae, and a comparison between type B trichothecenes was conducted to reveal their toxic character. The aim of third chapter is to compare the pendimethalin degradation by freely suspended and immobilized cells of Bacillus lehensis XJU on various matrices in batch and semi-continuous degradation, and to evaluate the effect of pH, temperature, and storage stability of pendimethalin degradation rate by polyurethane foam (PUF)-immobilized bacterial cells. In fourth chapter, yeast cell physiological activity was assessed on the basis of the in situ activity of two important enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase. In fifth chapter, we addressed the question whether the cytosol of eukaryotic host cells can provide a suitable environment for the formation of S-layer self assembly products, despite the presence of numerous chaperons and proteases. Sixth chapter shows that continuous culture with cell immobilization is a valid approach for selecting cells adapted to hydrogen peroxide. Elucidation of H2O2 adaptation mechanisms in HPR2 could be helpful to develop oxygen resistant bifidobacteria. The main objective of seventh chapter is to analyze upstream bioprocess and comparative studies of l-Lysine production by free cells of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 and MH 20-22 B in stirred tank bioreactor. In eighth chapter, we present a proof-of-concept immobilization approach that allows exoelectrogenic activity of cells on an electrode based on applying a layer of latex to hold bacteria on surfaces. The aim of ninth chapter is to investigate the use of immobilized fecal microbiota to develop different designs of continuous colonic fermentation models mimicking elderly gut fermentation. Immobilization of fecal microbiota obtained from three different donors was performed independently. Tenth chapter focuses on the impact of programmed cell death (PCD) on a population's growth as well as its role in the exchange of carbon between two naturally co-occurring halophilic organisms. In eleventh chapter, we address the use of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for the degradation of carbon sources in primary clarifier effluents from a conventional wastewater treatment plant. Last chapter shows the efficacy of alkali ballast water treatment in reducing ballast water microbial diversity and demonstrated the application of new Ion Torrent sequencing techniques to microbial community studies.