Multiple choice

In high viscous fermentation, the magnitude of resistance to oxygen transfer from gas bubble to cell is maximum in

  1. diffusion through the relatively stagnant liquid film surrounding the bubble

  2. transport through the bulk liquid

  3. movement across the liquid cell interferace

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In high viscosity fermentation, the stagnant liquid film surrounding gas bubbles becomes the rate-limiting resistance to oxygen transfer. High viscosity reduces turbulent mixing, creating a thicker boundary layer where molecular diffusion (much slower than convection) becomes the dominant transport mechanism. Bulk liquid transport and cell interface transfer are less affected by viscosity.

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