Abstract

PALMERIN-CARRENO, D.M.; RUTIAGA-QUINONES, O.M.; VERDE-CALVO, J.R.  and  HUERTA-OCHOA, S.. Biconversion of (+)-nootkatone by Botryodiplodia theobromae using a membrane aerated biofilm reactor. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.3, pp.757-764. ISSN 1665-2738.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the bioconversion of (+)-valencene to (+)-nootkatone by B. theobromae using a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) in a two liquid phase system with orange essential oil as the organic phase. In the aqueous phase system, a (+)-nootkatone production rate up to 3.98 mg L^-1 h^-1 was achieved, obtaining a final product concentration of 398.08 mg L^-1 with a bioconversion of 62 %. A two liquid phase system, using orange essential oil as the dispersed phase, was also studied and a final (+)-nootkatone concentration of 310.37 mg L^-1 was achieved in the organic phase, with a bioconversion of 330.5 % and a production rate of 2.46 mg L^-1 day^-1. The lower performance obtained using the two phase system was probably due to mass transfer limitations. The present work is the first report on an MABR for the bioconversion of (+)-valencene to (+)-nootkatone. Further studies on bioconversion products and optimization of biofilm reactor operations are needed to enhance bioconversion.

Keywords : bioconversion; (+)-nootkatone; Botryodiplodia theobromae; orange essential oil; membrane aerated biofilm reactor.