Continuous production of alpha-amylase by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in a two-stage fermentor

The production of a secondary metabolite ( alpha -amylase) by a highly aerobic bacterium (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ) was examined in batch, single-stage chemostat, two-stage stirred tank, and two-stage stirred tank/tubular reactor configurations. The relative performance of these reactor systems as measured by product concentration and volumetric productivity was compared, and the effect of aeration rate on the extent of plug flow in the tubular reactor was examined.