Biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) using immobilized whole cells of Lactobacillus brevis

On an industrial scale, the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from the cheaper sodium L-glutamate (L-MSG) is a valuable process. By entrapping Lactobacillus brevis cells with higher glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity into Ca-alginate gel beads, the biotransformation conditions of L-MSG to GABA were optimized with the immobilized cells. The cells obtained from a 60-h culture broth showed the highest biotransformation efficiency from L-MSG to GABA. The optimal cell density in gel beads, reaction pH and temperature were 11.2 g dry cell weight (DCW) 1(-1), 4.4 and 40 degrees C respectively. The thermal stability of immobilized cells was significantly higher than free cells. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the yield of GABA reached above 90% during the initial five batches and the yield still remained 56% in the tenth batch. Continuous production of GABA was realized with a higher yield by incorporating cell re-cultivation using the packed bed reactor.