Production of trehalose by permeabilized Micrococcus QS412 cells

Permeabilized Micrococcus QS412 cells were used to produce trehalose from starch through catalysis of maltooligosyl trehalose synthase and maltooligosyl trehalose trehalohydrolase in the cells. The permeabilized cells could omit the enzyme purification and simplify the immobilization of intracellular enzymes. The reagent, reagent dosage and time of cell permeabilization treatment were determined. The maximum trehalose biosynthesis activity was obtained after the cells were treated with 5% (w/v) of toluene at 30 °C for 40 min. Reaction conditions of trehalose synthesis of permeabilized cells were optimized. The yield of trehalose was up to 188 mg/g wet permeabilized cells in pH 8.0, 100 mmol/l phosphate buffer at 30 °C after 12 h reaction. Batch reactions showed that the permeabilized cells could be reused for 16 cycles in the biosynthesis reaction. The total trehalose yield was up to 2.5 g/g wet permeabilized cells. Development of permeabilized cells provide a new cheaply alternative technology for trehalose production.