Enhancement of biomass production and soluble methane monooxygenase activity in continuous cultures of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Using cell recycle, the concentration of M. trichosporium OB3b was increased to more than 12 g/L in continuous culture and biomass productivity was enhanced up to 0.708 g/L/h. The optimal temperature and pH for soluble MMO activity were 35°C and 6.2-6.4. The Optimal concentrations of methanol and sodium formate, as cofactor regenerators, were 0.5 mM and 10 mM, respectively, at which the soluble MMO activity was about 8 times enhanced.