Gas pressure intensifying oxygen transfer to significantly improving the bio-oxidation productivity of whole-cell catalysis

Oxygen, as a terminal electron acceptor, is an essential substrate in the aerobic bio-oxidation process, affecting bacterial vitality and bio-oxidation performance. In this study, a newfangled platform biotechnology of sealed-oxygen supply bioreactor (SOS-BR) was developed by improving gas pressure to significantly intensify oxygen transfer rate to resolve the formidable barriers of aerobic catalysis. In virtue of SOS-BR, the bio-productivity was greatly improved for three representative substrates (xylose, furfural, and glycerol) bio-oxidation with the whole-cell catalysis of Gluconobacter oxydans . The determination of oxygen transfer coefficient ( K L α ) established an upgraded theoretical dynamic model for gas pressure intensification biosystem. Additionally, viscosity measurement and combined pressure control strategy explained the inflection point phenomenon of productivity and confirmed the intensify mechanism. The smart strategy of significantly intensifying oxygen transfer provided insightful ideas for overcoming the stubborn obstacle of obligate aerobic catalysis, and further promoted the development and industrial practicability of bio-oxidation.