Process Biochemistry, Vol.30, No.4, 343-352, 1995
Potentials and Prospects for Application of Supercritical-Fluid Technology in Bioprocessing
Recent investigations on the application of supercritical (SC) fluid technology in bio- and food chemistry are reviewed. The gas-antisolvent crystallization and rapid expansion of SC fluid emerge as attractive methods for micron-size particle formation. Also gaining ground is enzymic catalysis in SC CO2, which offers the possibility of integrated synthesis-product recovery processes. These processes, successfully tested on a laboratory scale, need further scale-up and optimization. Supercritical CO2 has proven to be unfriendly, or even toxic, for living microorganisms, which precludes direct fermentation in dense CO2 but does not rule out other useful applications.
Keywords:LIPASE-CATALYZED ESTERIFICATION;PRESSURIZED CARBON-DIOXIDE;ANHYDROUS MILK-FAT;SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE;CATHARANTHUS-ROSEUS;MICROBIAL-CELLS;EXTRACTION;CO2;FRACTIONATION;CHOLESTEROL