Modification of yeast metabolism by immobilization onto porous glass

SummaryPorous glass beads are used to immobilizeSaccharomyces carlsbergensis cells. If silica pores are large enough, adsorption occurs. On the other hand, activation of the silica by glutaraldehyde allows the cells to bind onto the support. In the other case, the most porous glass has the greatest retention capacities. In all cases, 15 min is sufficient for support saturation by microorganisms.The study of glucose fermentation in immobilized cells shows that immobilization modifies the metabolism. Adsorption leads to an acceleration of metabolism, while a slowing down of the cell's activity follows covalent binding. Nevertheless, in both cases yield of glucose converted into ethanol increases while yield of glucose converted into carbon dioxide decreases.