Use of coconut coir fibers as an inert solid support for production of cyclosporin A

In the present study, coconut coir was evaluated as an inert support for the production of cyclosporin A (CyA) using Tolypocladium inflatum MTCC 557 by solid state fermentation. Initially, four different inert supports such as coconut coir, polyurethane foam, polystyrene beads, and sugarcane baggase were screened using different production media as moistening agents for the maximum production of CyA. Different parameters such as fermentation time, carbon sources, moisture content, pH, and inoculum size were optimized. It was observed that coconut coir impregnated with medium modified with glycerol as carbon source, pH 6, at 80% moisture content, and inoculum size of 2.5 mL/2.5 g support produced 2641 mg/kg of CyA after 12 days as compared to 998 mg/kg before optimization. The yields were further increased to 3597 mg/kg substrate with addition of combination of amino acids after 48 h of fermentation.     

Dynamics of l-valine in relation to the production of cyclosporin A by Tolypocladium inflatum

Summary We report the kinetics of endogenous l-valine in the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum, in an effort to understand the enhancing effect of externally supplemented l-valine on the production of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CyA) in chemically defined medium. In a batch laboratory stirred reactor cultivation, the concentration of intracellular l-valine increased by up to four times between the end of the exponential phase and the beginning of the stationary phase when the medium was supplemented externally with 4 g/1 l-valine. The final CyA titre under these conditions was 710 mg/1 compared to only 130 mg/1 attained without l-valine supplementation. In contrast to substantial growth-associated production of CyA in unsupplemented culture, the formation of the immunosuppressant was prolonged during the stationary phase in l-valine-supplemented medium. As a result, the conversion yield of CyA on l-valine remained constant during the stationary phase at 0.27 g CyA/g l-valine.     

Growth, pigment production and protease activity of Monascus purpureus as affected by salt, sodium nitrite, polyphosphate and various sugars

The effect of different levels of salt, sodium nitrite, polyphosphate and various sugars on growth, pigment production, protease activity and culture pH caused by Monascus purpureus was studied in broth medium and ground meat. The addition of sodium chloride (> 50.0 g l(-1)) and polyphosphate (> 3.0g l(-1)) to broth medium decreased mycelial growth, pigment production and protease activity of M. purpureus, whereas low concentrations of sodium nitrite (< 0.2 g l(-1)) promoted mycelial growth and pigment production. When the basal medium and ground meat contained salt, 150.0 g l(-1), the mould growth was stopped. The medium with fructose as carbon source proved to be the most suitable for mycelium growth and pigment production, with maltose and glucose being the second most productive. When sucrose and lactose were used as carbon sources, mycelium growth and pigment production were inhibited but the protease activity increased significantly. The mould showed more tolerance to salt and polyphosphate in ground meat than in broth medium and used sucrose as a carbon source as well as glucose for growth and pigment production in the meat mixture.     

Application of factorial experimental designs for optimization of cyclosporin. A production by Tolypocladium inflatum in submerged culture

A sequential optimization strategy based on statistical experimental designs was employed to enhance the production of cyclosporin A (CyA) by Tolypocladium inflatum DSMZ 915 in a submerged culture. A 2-level Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the bioprocess parameters significantly influencing CyA production. Among the 11 variables tested, sucrose, ammonium sulfate, and soluble starch were selected, owing to their significant positive effect on CyA production. A response surface methodology (RSM) involving a 3-level Box-Behnken design was adopted to acquire the best process conditions. Thus, a polynomial model was created to correlate the relationship between the three variables and the CyA yield, and the optimal combination of the major media constituents for cyclosporin A production, evaluated using the nonlinear optimization algorithm of EXCEL-Solver, was as follows (g/l): sucrose, 20; starch, 20; and ammonium sulfate, 10. The predicted optimum CyA yield was 113 mg/l, which was 2-fold the amount obtained with the basal medium. Experimental verification of the predicted model resulted in a CyA yield of 110 mg/l, representing 97% of the theoretically calculated yield.     

Rubratoxin production by penicillium rubrum when grown in a synthetic medium containing different sources of carbon and nitrogen

A sterile mineral salts broth was fortified with different additives, inoculated with conidia ofPenicillium rubrum P-13, and incubated quiescently for 14 days or with shaking for 3 to 5 days. Maximal fungal growth and rubratoxin production occurred when the broth contained 20% sucrose. Broth with 10% glucose, 10% fructose, 5% maltose, or 1% asparagine supported formation of substantial amounts of rubratoxin (52.9–78.5 mg/100 ml). When the broth was fortified with glucose plus lysine, arginine aspartic acid, cystine, ammonium citrate, or ammonium phosphate, moderate amounts (27.5–39.5 mg/100 ml) of rubratoxin and mycelium (0.1–1.5 g/100 ml) were produced. Presence in the broth of 5% galactose or starch resulted in accumulation of small amounts (22.2 and 24.6 mg/100 ml, respectively) of rubratoxin and mold tissue (0.70 and 0.5 g/ 100 ml, respectively). Whereas some toxin was recovered from mineral salts broth fortified with lactose or ribose, toxin was not recovered when the mold grew in broth containing mannitol or fumarate. With the exception of gluconate which supported some growth and toxin formation and ethanol which permitted formation of small amounts of toxin, other carbon sources resulted in little or no fungal growth and no toxin formation. Yields of rubratoxin decreased with an increase in amount of agitation or length of incubation ofP. rubrum cultures. Mold growth increased and toxin formation decreased with an increase in volume of culture.     

Production of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A by a new soil isolate,Aspergillus fumigatus,in submerged culture

Cyclosporin A (CyA) has received meticulous attention owing to its immunosuppressive and biological activities. In this study, a soil isolate, capable of producing CyA, was named Zag1 strain and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, 18S rDNA sequence, and phylogenetic characteristic analysis. To maximize the production of CyA, the fungal culture was grown under various fermentation conditions including selection of the cultivation medium, agitation rate, fermentation time, incubation temperature, pH value, inoculum nature, and medium volume. A simple medium (pH 5.0) containing 5% maltose as a carbon source and 2% potassium nitrate as a nitrogen source favored the highest CyA production when the fermentation process was maintained at 120 rpm for 9 days and at 30 °C using 3% standard inoculum of 5-day-old. The final CyA titer under these conditions was intensified to 2.23–3.31-fold, as compared with the amount obtained with seven types of basal media. A. fumigatus Zag1 appears to possess a good biotechnological potential for CyA production under favorable culture conditions.

     

Production of O-Succinyl-l-homoserine by Auxotrophic Mutants of Aerobacter aerogenes

Ten of Nineteen methionine-requiring mutants isolated from Aerobacter aerogenes ATCC 8308 by treatment with N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were found to accumulate in a culture broth a large amount of O-succinyl-l-homoserine (OSH) which was an intermediate in the biosynthesis of methionine in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. OSH was isolated from the culture broth and identified by the behavior in paper chromatography, elementary analysis, melting point, optical density and infrared spectrum. Among these mutants, A. aerogenes KY 7056 which responds to methionine, homocysteine or systathionine was used to investigate culture conditions for OSH production. The amount of OSH accumulation reached a level of 8.36 mg/ml with the medium containing 10% fructose and 1% ammonium sulfate. Addition of l-homoserine (10 mg/ml) increased the amount of OSH accumulation to a level of 15.8 mg/ml. Methionine or cystathionine suppressed the accumulation of OSH. Addition of δ-hydroxylysine to the fermentation medium almost abolished the OSH accumulation.     

Kinetics of kojic acid fermentation byAspergillus flavus link S44-1 using sucrose as a carbon source under different pH conditions

Kojic acid production byAspergillus flavus strain S44-1 using sucrose as a carbon source was carried out in a 250-mL shake flask and a 2-L stirred tank fermenter. For comparison, production of kojic acid using glucose, fructose and its mixture was also carried out. Kojic acid production in shake flask fermentation was 25.8 g/L using glucose as the sole carbon source, 23.6 g/L with sucrose, and 6.4 g/L from fructose. Reduced kojic acid production (13.5 g/L) was observed when a combination of glucose and fructose was used as a carbon source. The highest production of kojic acid (40.2 g/L) was obtained from 150 g/L sucrose in a 2 L fermenter, while the lowest kojic acid production (10.3 g/L) was seen in fermentation using fructose as the sole carbon source. The experimental data from batch fermentation and resuspended cell system was analysed in order to form the basis for a kinetic model of the process. An unstructured model based on logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations was found suitable to describe the growth, substrate consumption, and efficiency of kojic acid production byA. flavus in batch fermentation using sucrose. From this model, it was found that kojic acid production byA. flavus was not a growth-associated process. Fermentation without pH control (from an initial culture pH of 3.0) showed higher kojic acid production than single-phase pH-controlled fermentation (pH 2.5, 2.75, and 3.0).     

Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria strains with ornithine producing capacity from natural sea salt

Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) having ornithine-producing capacity were isolated from Korean natural sea salt. They were Gram-positive, short rod-type bacteria, and able to grow anaerobically with CO₂ production. The isolates grew well on MRS broth at 30–37°C and a pH of 6.5–8.0. The optimum temperature and pH for growth are 37°C and pH 7.0. The isolates fermented D-ribose, D-galactose, D-lactose, D-maltose, Dcellobiose, D-tagatose, D-trehalose, sucrose, D-melezitose, gentiobiose, D-glucose but not D-melibiose, inositol, and L-sorbose. The 16S rDNA sequences of the two isolates showed 99.5% and 99.6% homology with the Weissella koreensis S5623 16S rDNA (Access no. AY035891). They were accordingly identified and named as Weissella koreensis MS1-3 and Weissella koreensis MS1-14, and produced intracellular ornithine at levels of 72 mg/100 g cell F.W. and 105 mg/100 g cell F.W. and extracellular ornithine at levels of 4.5 mg/100 ml and 4.6 mg/100 ml medium, respectively, by culturing in MRS broth supplemented with 1% arginine. High cell growth was maintained in MRS broth with a NaCl concentration of 0–6%. These results show for the first time that Korean natural sea salts contain lactic acid bacteria Weissella koreensis strains having ornithine producing capacity.     

Fermentative Production of Chloramphenicol-analogs (Corynecins) from Sucrose

Corynecins (N-acyl derivatives of d-(?)-threo-p-nitrophenyl serinol), which were firstly discovered in the culture broth of Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus KY 4339 grown on n-alkane were also produced when n-alkane was replaced by sucrose. The corynecins production in the sucrose-medium was significantly stimulated by the supplement of molasses. On the basis of the composition of ingredients in molasses, the preferable culture medium was designed for the production of corynecins from sucrose. This semi-synthetic medium is consisted of low concentration of phosphate, high concentration of potassium chloride, inositol, fructose and yeast extract in addition to ordinary mineral salts. By controlling the pH of the medium at the neutral range and keeping the aeration at a relatively high level, approximately 4 g of corynecins (as l-base) per liter of the medium were produced using a 5-liter jar fermentor.     

Effects of pH and corn steep liquor variability on mannitol production by Lactobacillus intermedius NRRL B-3693

Lactobacillus intermedius NRRL B-3693 produced mannitol, lactic acid, and acetic acid when grown on fructose at 37°C. The optimal pH for mannitol production from fructose by the heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium (LAB) in pH-controlled fermentation was at pH 5.0. It produced 160.7 ± 1.1 g mannitol in 40 h with a volumetric productivity of 4.0 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹ in a simplified medium containing 250 g fructose, 50 g corn steep liquor (CSL), and 33 mg MnSO₄ per liter. However, the mannitol production by the LAB was severely affected by the variability of CSL. The supplementation of CSL with soy peptone (5 g/l), tryptophan (50 mg/l), tryptophan (50 mg/l) plus tyrosine (50 mg/l), or commercial protease preparation (2 ml/100 g of CSL) enhanced the performance of the inferior CSL and thus helped to overcome the nutrient limitations.     

Optimization of date syrup as a novel medium for lovastatin production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus terreus</Emphasis> ATCC 20542 and analyzing assimilation kinetic of carbohydrates

Lovastatin is a statin drug, which lowers cholesterol level in blood due to inhibition of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Date syrup is a rich medium for microbial growth and metabolite production. The main carbohydrates present in the date syrup are glucose and fructose. In this study, date syrup was used as a complex and bioresource medium for lovastatin production by Aspergillus terreus in the submerged cultivation. Optimization of the date syrup medium in order to achieve the highest titers of lovastatin and biomass was carried out. Four factors were studied by response surface methodology including concentration of date syrup carbohydrates, yeast extract concentration, pH, and rotation speed of the shaker. Optimal conditions for these factors found were as follows: concentration of date syrup carbohydrates, 64 g/l; yeast extract concentration, 15 g/l; pH, 6.5; and agitation speed, 150 rpm. It gave lovastatin concentration of 105.6 mg/l. Next, batch cultures in the optimal conditions were performed in a 2.5-l working volume bioreactor and led to the lovastatin titer of 241.1 mg/l during 12 days. Aspergillus terreus showed diauxic growth in the optimized medium with a shift from glucose to fructose assimilation during the run. Glucose and fructose assimilation kinetic parameters revealed that more lovastatin is produced during glucose assimilation, while more biomass was formed during fructose assimilation.     

Interacting effects of time,temperature, pH and simple sugars on biomass and toxic metabolite production by three Alternaria spp.

Biomass and toxic metabolite production by Altemaria hemicota, A. solani and A. tenuis in modified Czapek Dox broth (mCDB) as affected by incubation time (up to 4 wk) temperature (6, 15 and 25 °C), pH (3.0, 5.0 and 8.0) and sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) was studied. Biomass production was greatest at 25 ° C and pH 8.0 but toxin production was enhanced at 15 °C. In general, biomass production was promoted by up to 9% glucose and sucrose and 6% fructose; however, toxin production was simultaneously reduced by elevated sugars in mCDB over a 4-wk incubation period.     

Production of a fibrinolytic enzyme by thermophilic Streptomyces species

A strong fibrin-specific fibrinolytic enzyme was purified from the cell-free spent culture broth of a thermophilic organism, Streptomyces megasporus SD5. The strain could produce 150 mg crude protein per litre of spent broth, with a specific activity of 80 IU (Plough units) per milligram, within 18 h of incubation at 55 °C in glucose yeast/extract/peptone (GYP) medium, pH 8.0. For production of the enzyme, the strain could utilize different carbon and nitrogen sources with a C:N ratio of ∼ 1:2. The enzyme was stable at a broad range of pH ranging from 5 to 9, and highly thermostable with 50% activity after storage at 60 °C for 6 months. The enzyme belonged to the serine endopeptidase group. In vitro clot lysis revealed that the enzyme was active at 37 °C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Antifungal activity of crude extract produced by Bacillus sp. associated with entomopathogenic nematode from media formulated by six nitrogen sources with fructose against Penicillium expansum

A specific symbiotic Bacillus species isolated from a rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode, Rhabditis (Oscheius) sp. was found to produce a number of bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of six different nitrogen sources in combination with fructose on the production of antifungal crude extract by Bacillus sp. against Penicillium expansum. The yield of crude extract and antifungal activity against the test fungi differed significantly when the nitrogen sources in the fermentation media were changed. The highest yield was recorded for beef extract plus fructose (921?mg/L). The antifungal activity was higher in yeast extract plus fructose [P. expansum (46.5?±?2.12?mm)], followed by beef extract. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the crude antimicrobial substances revealed different peaks with different retention times indicating that they produced different compounds. When a carbon source was not included in the fermentation medium, the antimicrobial production was substantially reduced almost eight times. Carbon source in the fermentation medium plays a vital role in the production of antimicrobial substances. Yeast extract and fructose as nitrogen and carbon sources in the fermentation medium produced maximum antimicrobial activity.     

A study of sulfite-tolerant yeasts from comminuted lamb products

The sulfite tolerance of meat yeasts was shown to be determined by pH, sulfite concentration, substrate availability, and the composition of the preincubation medium. Acetaldehyde production by Candida norvegica was sulfite-induced and occurred during the exponential growth phase in sulfited (500 micrograms SO2 ml-1) lab lemco glucose broth cultures buffered at pH 5, 6, or 7. Growth at pH 4, however, was inhibited by sulfite. Acetaldehyde production occurred in sulfited medium containing fructose or ethanol but not lactate nor a range of other assimilable substrates. A non-acetaldehyde-producing yeast, Candida vini, grew in sulfited (500 micrograms SO2 ml-1) lab lemco broth containing glucose or lactate buffered at pH 6 or 7 but not at pH 4 or 5.     

Optimal conditions for the production of exopolysaccharide by marine microorganismHahella chejuensis

A marine microorganism, strain 96CJ10356 produced exopolysaccharide, designated as EPS-R. To optimize culture conditions for the production of EPS-R, carbon and nitrogen sources, mineral salts, temperature, and pH were examined. From this study, STN medium for the production of EPS-R was suggested as follows; sucrose 20 g, tryptone 10 g, NaCl 10 g, MgSO₄ 5 g, CaCl₂ 1 g, KH₂PO₄ 76 mg, K₂HPO₄ 83 mg, FeCl₂ 5 mg, MnCl₂ 1 mg, NaMoO₄ 1 mg, and ZnCl₂ 1 mg per liter at pH 7.0. About 9.23 g/L of EPS-R was obtained from STN medium after cultivation for 120 h at 25°C in a 5-liter jar fermentor with an aeration rate of 0.17 vvm. Apparent viscosity and flocculation activity of the culture broth were increased with the production of EPS-R and the maximal values were 415 cP and 1400 unit/mL against 0.5% activated carbon, respectively.     

Factors affecting ureolytic activities ofPenicillium waksmanii isolated from sewage sludge

Twenty one fungal isolates belonging to 7 genera were screened for ureolytic activity. APenicillium waksmanii isolate was found to be the most potent and was selected for further study. No ammonia-nitrogen was detected inP. waksmanii cultures either urea-free or containing up to 1 g urea per L. The maximum extracellular urease production was recorded at a urea concentration of 15 g/L. It peaked after 6 d of incubation at 25°C when the initial pH of the glucose—peptone broth was adjusted to 6. On the other hand, the highest fungus biomass was detected at a concentration of 2 g urea per L after 4 d of incubation at 35°C when the pH of the medium was 8. The intracellular urease activity (measured in cell-free extract) was the highest at 12 mg urea per mL after 75-min incubation at 25°C at pH 8. Incubation temperature of 25°C favored both urease production and activity.     

Effect of Medium Components on Bacteriocin Production by Lactobacillus Pentosus ST151BR,a Strain Isolated from Beer Produced by the Fermentation of Maize,Barley and Soy Flour

Lactobacillus pentosus ST151BR, isolated from home-brewed beer, produces a 3.0 kDa antibacterial peptide (bacteriocin ST151BR) active against Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus sakei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. Treatment with Proteinase K or Pronase resulted in loss of activity. Bacteriocin levels of 6400 AU/ml were recorded in MRSbb (De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth without Tween 80) at pH 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5. The same growth conditions at pH 4.5 yielded only 1600 AU/ml bacteriocin. Inclusion of Tween 80 in the growth medium reduced bacteriocin production by more than 50%. Growth in the presence of tryptone or tryptone plus meat extract stimulated bacteriocin production, whereas much lower activity was recorded when the bacteria were grown in the presence of meat extract, yeast extract, tryptone plus yeast extract, meat extract plus yeast extract, or a combination of tryptone, meat extract and yeast extract. MRSbb supplemented with maltose, lactose or mannose (2.0%, w/v) yielded bacteriocin levels of 6400 AU/ml. Sucrose or fructose at these concentrations reduced the activity by 50 and 75%, respectively. Growth in the presence of 4.0%(w/v) glucose resulted in 50% activity loss. Glycerol levels as low as 0.1%(w/v) repressed bacteriocin production. Addition of cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, thiamine and thioctic acid (1.0 mg/l) to the growth medium did not lead to an increase in bacteriocin production. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spore inoculum optimization to maximize cyclosporin A production in Tolypocladium niveum

The cyclic undecapeptide, cyclosporin A (CyA), is one of the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs. It is generated nonribosomally from a multifunctional cyclosporin synthetase enzyme complex by the filamentous fungus Tolypocladium niveum. In order to maximize the production of CyA by wild-type T. niveum (ATCC 34921), each of three culture stages (sporulation culture, growth culture, and production culture) were sequentially optimized. Among the three potential sporulation media, the SSMA medium generated the highest numbers of T. niveum spores. The SSM and SM media were then selected as the optimal growth and production culture media, respectively. The addition of valine and fructose to the SM production medium was also determined to be crucial for CyA biosynthesis. In this optimized three-stage culture system, 3% of the spore inoculum generated the highest level of CyA productivity in a 15-day T. niveum production culture, thereby implying that the determination of an appropriate size of T. niveum spore inoculum plays a critical role in the maximization of CyA production.