Immobilization of Whole-Cell <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i> Catalysts on the Surface of <i>Luffa cylindrica</i> Sponge

Abstract

Luffa cylindrica (called loofah sponge) is a plant from the cucurbitaceae family, popular in Asian countries. The fruit of this plant has a specific fibrous structure and after drying it adopts a three-dimensional mesh structure. The aim of this study was to determine the potential ability of the loofah sponge to bind microorganisms on its surface. Research conducted with the participation of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast has shown that loofah sponge has good sorption capacity and can be an excellent biomaterial for binding whole cells of microorganisms. One gram of Luffa cylindrica is able to adsorb about 0.64 g of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast cells, calculated on the basis of dry weight. Binding on the surface of the biopolymer is most effective when the sponge is introduced into the microbial media with the inoculum.

Keywords

• <i>Luffa cylindrica</i>
• adsorption
• <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i>
• immobilization