Analysis of methods for quantifying yeast cell concentration in complex lignocellulosic fermentation processes

• Cell mass and viability are tightly linked to the productivity of fermentation processes. In 2 generation lignocellulose-based media quantitative measurement of cell concentration is challenging because of particles, auto-fluorescence, and intrinsic colour and turbidity of the media. We systematically evaluated several methods for quantifying total and viable yeast cell concentrations to validate their use in lignocellulosic media. Several automated cell counting systems and stain-based viability tests had very limited applicability in such samples. In contrast, manual cell enumeration in a hemocytometer, plating and enumeration of colony forming units, qPCR, and in situ dielectric spectroscopy were further investigated. Parameter optimization to measurements in synthetic lignocellulosic media, which mimicked typical lignocellulosic fermentation conditions, resulted in statistically significant calibration models with good predictive capacity for these four methods. Manual enumeration of cells in a hemocytometer and of CFU were further validated for quantitative assessment of cell numbers in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation experiments on steam-exploded wheat straw. Furthermore, quantitative correlations could be established between these variables and in situ permittivity. In contrast, qPCR quantification suffered from inconsistent DNA extraction from the lignocellulosic slurries. Development of reliable and validated cell quantification methods and understanding their strengths and limitations in lignocellulosic contexts, will enable further development, optimization, and control of lignocellulose-based fermentation processes.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi -- Biomedicinsk laboratorievetenskap/teknologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology -- Biomedical Laboratory Science/Technology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biofysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biophysics (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Annan industriell bioteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Other Industrial Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)