PVA-gel (Lentikats®) as an effective matrix for yeast strain immobilization aimed at heterologous protein production

Three different yeast strains, namely Saccharomyces cerevisiae mnn1mnn9, Kluyveromyces lactis JA6/GAA and Zygosaccharomyces bailii [pZ3klIL-1β], were entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel particles, obtained following the commercially available immobilization kit named Lentikat®. After immobilization in the PVA-gel particles, yeast cells remained viable: colonization of the gel matrix reached up 100 mg d.w. of cells cm−3 gel for all the strains examined. Lentikats® of K. lactis JA6/GAA and Z. bailii [pZ3klIL-1β] showed to be suitable for the continuous production of glucoamylase and interleukin 1β, respectively, when employed under non-selective conditions. They were of easy handiness and showed excellent mechanical properties during prolonged operation in stirred tank reactors.