Cell separation from high cell density broths of Alcaligenes eutrophus by using a coagulant

Abstract

Alcaligenes eutrophus was successfully recovered from high cell density broths by pre-treatment with polyaluminium hydroxide chloride silicate as a coagulant at 36 - 90 mg Al/l. The optimum pH range for cell coagulation was 10-12. Subsequent centrifugation (45 x g) and filtration (pore size 0.5 mm) gave a cell recovery of higher than 90%. The energy demand for cell recovery with the coagulant was only 3-11% of that without it.