Bioprocesses enhanced by magnetic nanoparticles

A method of preparing nanoparticles comprising an inorganic compound incorporated within the interstices of a fluorine-containing polymer comprising:

• a) co-precipitating an inorganic salt in an aqueous solution in the presence of a fluorine-containing polymer;
• and
• b) sonicating the mixture from step a), and isolating the nanoparticles.

A method of preparing nanoparticles comprising an inorganic compound associated with a hydrocarbon bilayer comprising a first hydrocarbon layer chemically bonded to a second hydrocarbon layer comprising:

• a) coprecipitating an inorganic salt in an aqueous solution in the presence of a first hydrocarbon moiety capable of bonding with the inorganic compound, and
• b) reacting the product from step a) with a second hyrocarbon moiety comprising a hydrophilic group, wherein the first hydrocarbon moiety chemically bonds to the second hyrdocarbon moiety to form the hydrocarbon bilayer.

A method of increasing the amount of gas transfer to a medium comprising introducing to the medium nanoparticles comprising an inorganic compound associated with an organic phase, wherein the organic phase is capable of reversibly solubilizing a gas.

A method of enhancing cell growth in fermentation processes comprising introducing to a fermentation medium comprising a cell culture nanoparticles comprising an inorganic compound associated with an organic phase, wherein the organic phase is capable of reversibly solubilizing oxygen, thereby increasing the amount of oxygen transfer to the fermentation medium.