Study of whey fermentation by kefir immobilized on low cost supports using 14C-labelled lactose

Brewer’s Spent Grains (BSG) and Malt Spent Rootlets (MSR) were used as supports for kefir cells immobilization and the role of lactose uptake rate by kefir in the positive activity of produced biocatalysts during whey fermentation was investigated. Lactose uptake rate by the immobilized cells was recorded using 14C-labelled lactose and the effect of various conditions (pH, temperature and kind of support) on it and consequently on fermentation time and ethanol production was examined. The results showed that lactose uptake rate was correlated to fermentation rate and increased as temperature was increased up to 30 °C at pH 5.5. The same results have been recently noticed by using biocatalysts with Delignified Cellulosic Materials (DCM) and Gluten Pellets (GP), but fermentation time of about 7 h by kefir immobilized on DCM and BSG resulted to two fold lower than that on GP and MSR. The highest alcohol concentration was observed by MSR.

► 14C-labelled lactose uptake rate by kefir immobilized on BSG and MSR was studied.
► Lactose uptake rate by immobilized cells was correlated to fermentation rate in whey.
► Biocatalysts with low cost BSG, MSR, GP or DCM increase the whey fermentation rate.
► BSG cellulosic biocatalyst can in 8 h ferment the lactose of whey and produce alcohol.
► Hydrophilic cellulose protects immobilized cells and increase biocatalytic activity.