Work

Cost‐Efficient Autotrophic High‐Cell‐Density Cultivation of Cupriavidus necator Enabled by Model‐Based Gas Supply

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Cultivating hydrogen‐oxidizing bacteria (HOB), such as Cupriavidus necator, using , , and offers a promising route for valorization into chemicals and materials. To enhance cultivation efficiency in a lab‐scale gas fermenter lacking a gas recycling system, an automated gas supply strategy based on real‐time and monitoring was developed. Fine‐tuning gas delivery is essential to ensure an adequate supply for cellular growth while minimizing excess gas, particularly , that leaves the bioreactor unused, to improve process economics. In the absence of ATEX‐compliant sensors, a soft sensor was implemented to estimate dissolved concentrations from uptake rates and growth phase identification. Total gas flow was controlled according to the requirements of the cells. This strategy reduced overall gas and consumption by 67%. In addition, a high‐cell‐density medium was formulated by integrating published recipes with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy and nutrient inhibition testing. The optimized medium increased biomass yield from 15 g/L to 53 g/L, with 75% of the dry weight consisting of the bioplastic poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate), without requiring nutrient addition or pH control. Together, these strategies improve the scalability, efficiency, and sustainability of ‐based cultivation of hydrogen‐oxidizing bacteria.

Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI: 10.1002/bit.70079