Determination of reactor operation for the microbial hydroxylation of toluene in a two-liquid phase process

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Abstract
Application of biotransformations to the synthesis of industrial chemicals is in part limited by a number of process challenges. We discuss the conversion of toxic, poorly water-soluble organic substrates by whole cells, using as an illustrative example the specific hydroxylation of toluene to toluenecis-glycol byPseudomonas putida UV4. Toxic effects may be eliminated through the introduction of tetradecane, to partition toluene away from the biocatalyst, to give product concentrations of 30–60 gL−1, in a two-liquid-phase reactor. The operational limits of this system have been experimentally determined and are presented in the form of windows of operation.