Production of canthaxanthin by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haloferax alexandrinus</Emphasis> under non-aseptic conditions and a simple,rapid method for its extraction

The production of carotenoids from Haloferax alexandrinus strain TM(T) was investigated at various concentrations of NaCl (10-25%) in culture media under non-aseptic conditions. PCR and dot blot hybridization assays were employed to monitor the growth of Hfx. alexandrinus in the culture under aseptic and non-aseptic conditions. The amplified PCR products of 16S rDNA from Hfx. alexandrinus grown under aseptic conditions were used as specific probes, which bound with amplified PCR products of 16S rDNA dots from both aseptic and non-aseptic conditions (20-25% NaCl). The results indicated that contamination of the culture was precluded at high NaCl concentrations (20-25%). Therefore, it is not necessary to perform asepsis during the biotechnological processes of carotenoid production by Hfx. alexandrinus. A 1-l-scale cultivation of the cells in flask cultures under non-aseptic conditions produced 3.12+/-0.5 g dry weight, 6.34+/-2.5 mg total carotenoids and 2,156.67+/-0.1 microg canthaxanthin. Further experiments in a batch fermenter, under non-aseptic conditions, also demonstrated increases in the biomass concentration and carotenoid production. When grown in a standard growth medium at 25% NaCl, the cells of Hfx. alexandrinus lysed spontaneously in fresh water and hence carotenoids could be extracted directly from the cells without any mechanical disintegration. These results demonstrate the feasibility and simplicity of commercial production of carotenoids using Hfx. alexandrinus.     

Factors enhancing lycopene production by a new Mycobacterium aurum mutant

A mutant strain of Mycobacterium aurum was isolated that produced mainly lycopene (>80%) with a total carotenoid content of 1.2 mg g(-1) dry biomass when grown on yeast extract and glucose. Lycopene content of the cells could be significantly increased, up to 7.4 mg g(-1) biomass, by growing the cells at suboptimal initial culture pH (pH 6-6.4) or by using high salt concentration (85 mM NaCl) in the culture medium, although a 25-40% decrease in biomass production occurred in both cases. Highestproductivity (4 mg lycopene l(-1) d(-1)) was obtained by cultivating the cells at pH 6.     

Carotenoid production from hydrolyzed molasses by Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 using batch,fed-batch and continuous culture

The different cultivation strategies of batch, fed-batch and continuous culture for the synthesis of biomass and carotenoids by Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 from waste molasses and its hydrolysate were compared. The efficiency of three various pretreatments (enzymatic, acidic and acidic at high temperature) for the determination of the best hydrolysate was also studied by evaluating the conversion rate of sucrose. The analytical procedures initially showed that canthaxanthin (CTX) and enzymatic hydrolysis were the most abundant pigment biosynthesized and the most suitable process for the substrate production, respectively. An increase in reducing sugar concentration of the enzymatic hydrolysate molasses (EHM) from 25 to 50 g/l led to a drastic decrease in biomass formation and substrate utilization. EHM (25 g/l) was a better substrate for the cell growth and product formation than the waste molasses (25 g/l). The application of EHM instead of molasses enhanced the biomass production in fed-batch culture more than batch and continuous cultures. However, the continuous cultivation had the highest biomass (12.98 g/l), carotenoid (27.33 mg/l) and CTX (25.04 mg/l) yields with 25 g/l of EHM. The CTX isolated from D. natronolimnaea HS-1 may be used as a natural antioxidant for possible production of healthy-functional foods in the future.     

Optimal conditions for the production of sulfated polysaccharide by marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum strain KG03

A marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum strain KG03 produced sulfated exopolysaccharide designated as p-KG03, which showed a strong antiviral activity against encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). To optimize culture conditions for the production of p-KG03, mineral salts, vitamins, plant growth hormones, temperature, pH and light conditions were examined. From this study, M-KG03 medium for the maximum production of p-KG03 was suggested as follows; NH(4)Cl 75 microM, NaH(3)PO(4) 200 microM, NaHCO(3) 50 microM, Na(2)SO(4) 10 microM, FeCl(2) x 6H(2)O 10 microM, MnCl(2) x 4H(2)O 0.1 microM, vitamin B(12) 0.75 microg, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 7.5 microg and myo-inositol 200 mg per liter of aged sea water. The optimal temperature and pH were 22.5 degrees C and 8.0, respectively. The optimal light conditions of intensity and period were 150 microE m(-2) s(-1) and 16:8 h light:dark cycle. Finally, the cell growth and p-KG03 production were measured in one liter of M-KG03 medium with 1% CO(2) and 50 ml min(-1) of airflow using two liters airlift balloon type photobioreactor (ABTPR). At these optimal conditions, p-KG03 production and cell growth were 134.6+/-5.9 mg l(-1) and 123,076+/-1,597 cells ml(-1), respectively, representing a 7.7 and 5.1 times compared with f/2 medium with Erlenmeyer flask culture (p-KG03 production 17.5+/-1.3 mg l(-1) and cell growth 24,311+/-1,291 cells ml(-1)).     

Exopolysaccharide production and mycelial growth in an air-lift bioreactor using Fomitopsis pinicola

For effective exopolysaccharide production and mycelial growth by a liquid culture of Fomitopsis pinicola in an air-lift bioreactor, the culture temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and mineral source were initially investigated in a flask. The optimal temperature and pH for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were 25degrees C and 6.0, respectively. Among the various carbon sources tested, glucose was found to be the most suitable carbon source. In particular, the maximum mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were achieved in 4% glucose. The best nitrogen sources were yeast extract and malt extract. The optimal concentrations of yeast extract and malt extract were 0.5 and 0.1%, respectively. K2HPO4 and MgSO4 x 7H2O were found to be the best mineral sources for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production. In order to investigate the effect of aeration on mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production in an air-lift bioreactor, various aerations were tested for 8 days. The maximum mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were 7.9 g/l and 2.6 g/l, respectively, at 1.5 vvm of aeration. In addition, a batch culture in an air-lift bioreactor was carried out for 11 days under the optimal conditions. The maximum mycelial growth was 10.4 g/l, which was approximately 1.7-fold higher than that of basal medium. The exopolysaccharide production was increased with increased culture time. The maximum concentration of exopolysaccharide was 4.4 g/l, which was about 3.3-fold higher than that of basal medium. These results indicate that exopolysaccharide production increased in parallel with the growth of mycelium, and also show that product formation is associated with mycelial growth. The developed model in an air-lift bioreactor showed good agreement with experimental data and simulated results on mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production in the culture of F pinicola.     

Optimization of process parameters by response surface methodology and kinetic modeling for batch production of canthaxanthin by Dietzia maris NIT-D (accession number: HM151403)

Dietzia maris NIT-D, a canthaxanthin producer, was isolated during routine screening of pigment-producing bacteria. Response surface methodology was applied for statistical designing of process parameters for biomass and canthaxanthin production. The effects of four process parameters (considered as independent variables), namely temperature (10-30?°C), pH (4.75-5.75), shaker speed (75-135?rpm) and percentage inoculum (0.5-2.5?%) on the biomass and canthaxanthin yield (considered as dependent variables) were studied. As much as 122?mg?L(-1) of canthaxanthin was obtained when Dietzia maris NIT-D was incubated for 120?h at 25?°C and 120?rpm, initial pH and percentage inoculum being 5.5 and 2?% respectively. The pigment yield is the highest reported till date, with Dietzia maris as the test organism. The maximum biomass yield was 7.39?g?L(-1) under optimized process parameters. The predicted values were also verified by validation experiments in 5-day fermentation. Different mathematical models were used to describe growth and production, considering the effect of glucose in batch mode. The kinetic constants were calculated by fitting the experimental data to the models. Cell growth was inhibited beyond a glucose concentration of 15?g?L(-1). Andrews' model gave the best fit with a R (2) value of 0.9993. During the exponential growth phase, the specific growth rate was found to remain fairly constant with respect to time. There was no inhibitory effect due to intracellular product accumulation for all concentrations of glucose. This observation is the first of its kind, as previous studies have reported that increasing accumulation of intracellular carotenoid exerts greater degree of inhibition on growth.     

Growth and phycocyanin formation of Spirulina platensis in photoheterotrophic culture

Summary Glucose and acetate enhanced cell growth and phycocyanin production of S. platensis. The highest specific growth rate, cell concentration and phycocyanin production were respectively 0.62 d^-1, 2.66 g/l and 322 mg/l on glucose and 0.52 d^-1, 1.81 g/l and 246 mg/l on acetate. The specific growth rate of the alga on 2.5 g glucose/l was markedly increased with increasing light intensity up to 2 klux. Further increasing light intensity to 4 klux only resulted in a very slight increase in specific growth rate. At a light intensity above 4 klux, photoinhibition occurred. Light favoured phycocyanin formation. The highest phycocyanin content was obtained at a light intensity of 4 klux. When the light intensity decreased to 2 klux or less, the optimal glucose concentration for biomass production shifted from 2.5 g/l to 5.0 g/l.     

Spirulina platensis growth in open raceway ponds using fresh water supplemented with carbon,nitrogen and metal ions

To investigate the feasibility of using fresh water from Mangueira Lagoon (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) for biomass production in open raceway ponds (0.7 m long, 0.18 m wide, 0.075 m deep) we studied the influence of nutrient addition (carbon as sodium bicarbonate, nitrogen as urea, phosphate, sulfate, ferric iron, magnesium and potassium) on the growth rate of the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis using a 22 factorial design. In unsupplemented lagoon water production of S platensis was 0.78 +/- 0.01 g/l (dry weight basis) while the addition of 2.88 g/l of sodium bicarbonate (without added urea, phosphate, sulfate or metal ions) resulted in 0.82 +/- 0.01 g/l after 400 hours of culture. The further addition of phosphate and metal ions resulted in growth for up to 750 h and a final S. platensis biomass of 1.23 +/- 0.04 to 1.34 +/- 0.03 g/l.     

Influence of growth conditions on the production of a nisin-like bacteriocin by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 isolated from kimchi

The influence of growth parameters on the fermentative production of a nisin-like bacteriocin by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 isolated from kimchi was studied. The bacteriocin production was greatly affected by carbon and nitrogen sources. Strain A164 produced at least 4-fold greater bacteriocin in M17 broth supplemented with lactose than other carbon sources. The amount of 3% yeast extract was found to be the optimal organic nitrogen source. While the maximum biomass was obtained at 37 degrees C, the optimal temperature for the bacteriocin production was 30 degrees C. The bacteriocin production was also affected by pH of the culture broth. The optimal pH for growth and bacteriocin production was 6.0. Although the cell growth at pH 6.0 was nearly the same level at pH 5.5 and 6.5, the greater bacteriocin activity was observed at pH 6.0. Exponential growth took place only during an initial period of the cultivation, and then linear growth was observed. Linear growth rates increased from 0.160 g(DCW) x l(-1) x h(-1) to 0.245 g(DCW) x l(-1) x h(-1) with increases in lactose concentrations from 0.5 to 3.0%. Maximum biomass was also increased from 1.88 g(DCW) x l(-1) to 4.29 g(DCW) x l(-1). However, increase in lactose concentration did not prolong the active growth phase. After 20 h cultivation, cell growth stopped regardless of lactose concentration. Production of the bacteriocin showed primary metabolic kinetics. However, bacteriocin yield based on cell mass increased greatly during the late growth phase. A maximum activity of 131x10(3) AU x ml(-1) was obtained at early stationary growth phase (20 h) during the batch fermentation in M17L broth (3.0% lactose) at 30 degrees C and pH 6.0.     

Single cell oil (SCO) production by Mortierella isabellina grown on high-sugar content media

Mortierella isabellina cultivated in nitrogen-limited media presented remarkable cell growth (up to 35.9 g/l) and high glucose uptake even with high initial sugar concentrations (e.g. 100 g/l) in media. After nitrogen depletion, significant fat quantities were accumulated inside the fungal mycelia (50-55%, wt/wt oil in dry biomass), resulting in a notable single cell oil production of 18.1 g/l of culture medium. Total dry biomass and lipid yields presented greatly increased values (0.34 and 0.17 g respectively per gram of glucose consumed). The microbial lipid produced contained gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) at a concentration of 3.5+/-1.0%, wt/wt, which corresponded to 16-19 mg GLA per gram of dry microbial mass and a maximum concentration of 0.801 g GLA per liter of culture medium.     

Biosurfactant yields and nutrient consumption of Pseudomonas fluorescens 378 studied in a microcomputer controlled multifermentation system

Production of biosurfactant AP-6 and consumption of carbon (succinic acid) and nitrogen (ammonium ions) by Pseudomonas fluorescens 378 were studied under different growth conditions. The study was performed in a microcomputer controlled multibatch fermentation system which enabled simultaneous running of 10 fermentors. The fermentors were mantled glass vessels, temperature controlled by circulated water, and mixing was arranged by magnetic stirrers. They were connected to the computer system (pH measurement and control) via signal conditioning cards. The microcomputer had a 128 kbytes RAM, two 800-kbyte floppy disc drives, a graphic terminal, and expansion cards. Biosurfactant production was independent of the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and the phosphorus content in the medium. Omitting the Fe(III) supplement to the medium increased the product yield by 120%. Changes in oxygen transfer rate and pH in the iron deficient cultures did not have any effect on the product yield. Iron deficiency increased the cell consumption of carbon source. Consumption of carbon source in relation to nitrogen uptake (carbon/nitrogen quotient) increased with increasing quotient in the growth medium. The uptake of carbon and nitrogen changed in the intervals of 1.2-1.5 g/g biomass and 0.09-0.16 g/g biomass, respectively. The consumption of carbon increased from 1.5 g/g biomass to 2.0 g/g biomass when the medium concentration of phosphorus was decreased from 0.18 to 0.027 g/L.     

The effect of light, salinity, and nitrogen availability on lipid production by Nannochloropsis sp

We examined responses of batch cultures of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp. to combined alterations in salinity (13, 27, and 40 g/l NaCl) and light intensity (170 and 700 μmol photons/m²·s). Major growth parameters and lipid productivity (based on total fatty acid determination) were determined in nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-depleted cultures of an initial biomass of 0.8 and 1.4 g/l, respectively. On the nitrogen-replete medium, increases in light intensity and salinity increased the cellular content of dry weight and lipids due to enhanced formation of triacylglycerols (TAG). Maximum average productivity of ca. 410 mg TFA/l/d were obtained at 700 μmol photons/m²·s and 40 g/l NaCl within 7 days. Under stressful conditions, content of the major LC-PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), was significantly reduced while TAG reached 25% of biomass. In contrast, lower salinity tended to improve major growth parameters, consistent with less variation in EPA contents. Combined higher salinity and light intensity was detrimental to lipid productivity under nitrogen starvation; biomass TFA content, and lipid productivity amounted for only 33% of DW and ca. 200 mg TFA/l/day, respectively. The highest biomass TFA content (ca. 47% DW) and average lipid productivity of ca. 360 mg TFA/l/day were achieved at 13 g/l NaCl and 700 μmol photons/m²·s. Our data further support selecting Nannochloropsis as promising microalgae for biodiesel production. Moreover, appropriate cultivation regimes may render Nannochloropsis microalgae to produce simultaneously major valuable components, EPA, and TAG, while sustaining relatively high biomass growth rates.     

NH+/4-N assimilation by Rhodobacter capsulatus ATCC 23782 grown axenically and non-axenically in N and C rich media

Assimilation of NH+/4-N and formation of cell biomass in Rhodobacter capsulatus ATCC 23782 were studied in batch cultures as a function of N and C concentration and light intensity. Growth occurred satisfactorily up to N and C levels of 1.2 and 6.0g/1, respectively. The maximum biomass density achieved was 2.3 g biomass-C/l at 0.8 g N/l and 4.0g C/l. Media containing initial C/N ratios of 5 provided good growth and almost complete assimilation and recovery of NH+/4-N and lactate-C, respectively. A light intensity of about 120 μE/m²/s was adequate for efficient growth. At low levels of NH+/4-N (<0.05 g N/l), the photobacterium could not maintain dominance under non-axenic growth conditions. Chloroxuron was necessary to prevent algal overgrowth. At concentrations of 0.2 and 0.4 g NH+/4-N/l, the photo-bacterium maintained dominance over several months under the appropriate conditions of temperature (30°C), light intensity (120μE/m²/s), carbon supply (C/N = 5) and cell residence time (5.5d). The protein of Rhb. capsulatus ATCC 23782 was rich in essential amino acids.     

Production of recombinant bacteriocin divercin V41 by high cell density <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> batch and fed-batch cultures

To increase the yield of heterologous production of the class II bacteriocin DvnRV41 with Escherichia coli Origami (DE3) (pLysS/pCR03), induction of bacteriocin gene expression was optimized by varying the inducer isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration (0-2 mM), and controlled batch and fed-batch cultures were tested on a 2-L scale. A concentration of 0.5 mM IPTG was found to be optimal for cell growth and bacteriocin production. Shake flask cultivation of E. coli Origami (DE3) (pLysS/pCR03) gave biomass and bacteriocin yields of 1.54 +/- 0.06 g cdw/l and 18 +/- 1 mg DvnRV41/l, respectively. Biomass (2.70 +/- 0.06 and 6.8 +/- 0.6 g cdw/l, respectively) and bacteriocin yields (30 and 74 mg DvnRV41 per liter, respectively) were both increased with batch and fed-batch compared to shake flask cultures. Bacteriocin yields reported in this study are among the highest published for other heterologous expression systems in shake flasks.     

Improvement in raw sago starch degrading enzyme production from Acremonium sp. endophytic fungus using carbon and nitrogen sources

Attempts were made to improve the growth of endophytic fungus Acremonium sp. and its raw sago starch degrading enzyme (RSSDE) production using different nitrogen and carbon sources at varying pH values and temperatures. It was observed that growth and enzyme activity levels were highest with peptone and sodium nitrate as the nitrogen sources and raw sago starch as the carbon source of which the optimum concentrations were 0.5 g/l, 3 g/l, and 20 g/l, respectively. Cell growth and RSSDE production reached their optimum at pH 5.0 and incubation temperature of 30 degrees C. Under these conditions, the enzyme production was significantly increased by 19- to 22-folds compared to the activity obtained in the original basal medium.     

Two-step process for ketocarotenoid production by a green alga, Chlorococcum sp. strain MA-1

The production of ketocarotenoids (KCs) from Chlorococcum sp. strain MA-1 was investigated by a two-step process. In the first step, 18 g biomass l(-1) was achieved by feeding glucose to the heterotrophic cultures; in the second step, the high-density cultures were treated with light illumination or chemical stress in dark, respectively, to induce KC synthesis. Light-treated cultures could produce 103 mg total KCs l(-1) and 32 mg astaxanthin l(-1), three times higher than those from chemical-treated cultures, in the 10 days of induction. The percentages of individual KCs (hydroxyechinenone, canthaxanthin, adonirubin and astaxanthin) in the total KCs were not markedly influenced by the different stress conditions. The developed two-step process provides a feasible strategy for commercial production of ketocarotenoids by the green microalga, Chlorococcum sp. strain MA-1.     

Characterization of factors influencing the growth of Anabaena variabilis in a bubble column reactor

The combined effect of superficial gas velocity, pH, initial phosphate concentration, and light intensity on cell growth was investigated for the mass production of cyanobacterial cells. The light intensity was manipulated to maintain a specific irradiation rate (q(i)) at a constant level for high cell density culture. The optimum condition for the batch culture was achieved at a superficial gas velocity of 2.0 cm/s, pH 7.0, and an initial phosphate concentration of 55 mg/l when the specific irradiation rate was controlled above 11.5 micromol/s/g dry cell. In this condition, the specific growth rate and cell productivity were 1.47 day(-1) and 0.98 g dry cell/l/day, respectively.     

Issues in the culture of the extremely thermophilic methanogen, Methanothermus fervidus

Basic issues in the culture of the extremely thermophilic archaeon, Methanothermus fervidus, have been investigated, including culture medium formulation, substrate yield and product yield coefficient, growth rate and stoichiometry, and H(2) uptake kinetics. The pH optimum for growth of this organism was estimated at 6.9. Growth medium buffered with PIPES instead of bicarbonate supported both increased growth rate and maximum biomass concentration. Substitution of titanium(III) citrate for the reducing agent sodium sulfide improved culture performance as well. However, independent adjustment of iron and nickel concentrations from 11 to 111 muM, respectively, and carbon dioxide partial pressure from 5 to 20 psia did not impact the culture of M. fervidus significantly. An elemental balance approach was utilized to aid in design of a defined medium to support growth to a target maximum biomass concentration of at least 1.0 g dry wt/L. The growth of this organism was limited by H(2) availability in this reformulated culture medium. The maximum growth rate and biomass concentration achieved in anaerobic vials with the defined medium was 0.16 h(-1) and 0.74 g dry wt/L, respectively. This maximum biomass concentration was a 72% improvement over that obtained with a literature-based defined medium. The Monod parameter, K(s), with H(2) as limiting substrate, was estimated at 1.1 +/- 0.4 psia (55 +/- 20 muM in the broth), based on a H(2) consumption study. Representative values for the substrate yield, Y(X/CO(2) ), and product yield coefficient, Y(CH(4)/) (X), were determined experimentally to be 1.78 +/- 0.04 g dry wt/mol CO(2), and 0.52 +/- 0.01 mol CH(4)/g dry wt, respectively. A bench-scale fermentation system suitable for the culture of extremely thermophilic anaerobes was designed and constructed and proved effective for the culture of M. fervidus. (c) 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Factors affecting the growth and the oil accumulation of marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica

Biomass production and oil productivity in microalgae culture are the most important key factors for algal biodiesel production. However, proper culture condition for the biomass production of microalgae is different from that for the oil production of microalgae. A study on the biomass production of Tetraselmis suecica using various light intensities and nitrate concentrations as growth factors was carried out to evaluate proper culture conditions in 20-L batch culture. The effect of nitrate depletion on the oil accumulation was also evaluated with two-stage culture. It took 5 days to reach the stationary phase for the cultures of T. suecica on the light intensities of 108.9 and 133.1 μmol m(-2 )s(-1) with biomass of 0.89 and 0.88 g dcw L(-1), respectively. Biomass productions of 1.07 and 1.00 g dcw L(-1) were obtained with the nitrate concentrations of 18.6 and 24.7 mg L(-1), respectively. The two-stage culture increased oil contents from 7.6 to 17.3% (w/w) and contents of C(16)-C(18) fatty acids from 540.2 to 720.5 mg g(-1) oil. The predominant fatty acid was palmitic acid (C(16:0)) in nitrate depletion group, however, oleic acid (C(18:1)) was predominated in nitrate added groups. The two-stage culture enhanced overall oil productivity of 18.7 mg g(-1) day(-1) which is higher than that of 12.2 mg g(-1) day(-1) in single-stage culture.     

Optimization of culture conditions for production of the anti-tubercular alkaloid hirsutellone A by Trichoderma gelatinosum BCC 7579

AIMS: This work aimed to optimize the culture conditions for production of a novel and potent anti-tubercular alkaloid, hirsutellone A, by the saprophytic soil fungus Trichoderma gelatinosum BCC 7579. METHODS AND RESULTS: The fungus was initially cultured in shake flasks at 25 degrees C in the potato dextrose broth (PDB) supplemented with various carbon and nitrogen sources and mineral salts to select suitable medium for mycelial growth and hirsutellone A production. Cultivation conditions were further optimized by adjusting initial pH and changing temperature levels to maximize the production of hirsutellone A. The optimal condition that increased the production of hirsutellone A from 19.04 mg l(-1), obtained from basal condition, to 610.55 mg l(-1) and reduced the cultivation time from 40 to 6 days was to cultivate in a shaker at 200 rev min(-1) at 25 degrees C in PDB plus 20 g l(-1) soluble starch, 10 g l(-1) peptone and 2.5% (v/v) salt solution with initial pH of 7. Production of hirsutellone A in larger-scale using a 5-l batch fermenter was also completed yielding 958 mg l(-1) of hirsutellone A within 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: The suitable culture conditions for hirsutellone A production by T. gelatinosum BCC 7579 was the cultivation in 5-l fermenter at 25 degrees C in PDB plus 20 g l(-1) soluble starch, 10 g l(-1) peptone and 2.5% (v/v) salt solution with an initial pH of 7. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The production of hirsutellone A in a fermenter to obtain a high yield and reduce an incubation period will become very useful in anti-tubercular drug development process in the future.