A mathematical approach for the estimation of biomass production rate in solid state fermentation

The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was studied in a solid state fermentation process of dried citrus peel with the strain Aspergillus niger QH-2 in order to obtain the growth estimation of the microorganism in the system. The relationship between OUR, the maintenance coefficient (m) and the yield for oxygen consumption Y_O2 allows the estimation of the biomass rate if we consider that both parameters are not constants in some periods of the process. It was estimated that in the first 24th the strain has an specific growth rate of 0.174 h^?1 with values for Y_O2 and m in the order of 2.84 g-cell/g-oxygen and 0.006 g-oxygen/g-cell ·h respectively.     

Enhanced production of ligninolytic enzymes and decolorization of molasses distillery wastewater by fungi under solid state fermentation

Selected isolates of fungi were grown on wheat straw and corncob in the presence of different moistening agents such as water, molasses, potato dextrose broth and distillery effluent. All the fungal isolates responded differently with respect to growth and ligninolytic enzyme production. Fungal growth on different substrates was checked by calculating ergosterol content, which varied widely within a single species when grown on different substrates. The maximum laccase production was obtained for Aspergillus flavus TERI DB9 grown on wheat straw with molasses. For manganese peroxidase, highest production was in Aspergillus niger TERI DB20 grown on corncob with effluent. Among the two isolates positive for lignin peroxidase, the highest production was in Fusarium verticillioides ITCC 6140. This immobilized fungal biomass was then used for decolorization of effluent from a cane molasses based distillery. Maximum decolorization (86.33%) was achieved in Pleurotus ostreatus (Florida) Eger EM 1303 immobilized on corncob with molasses in a period of 28 days.     

Production of pectinesterase and polygalacturonase by Aspergillus niger in submerged and solid state systems

Production of pectinesterase and polygalacturonase by Aspergillus niger was studied in submerged and solid-state fermentation systems. With pectin as a sole carbon source, pectinesterase and polygalacturonase production were four and six times higher respectively in a solid state system than in a submerged fermentation system and required a shorter time for enzyme production. The addition of glucose increased pectinesterase and polygalacturonase production in the solid state system but in submerged fermentation the production was markedly inhibited. A comparison of enzyme productivities showed that those determined for pectinesterase and polygalacturonase with pectin as a carbon source were three and five times higher by using the solid state rather than the submerged fermentation system. The productivities of the two enzymes were affected by glucose in both fermentation systems. The membranes of cells from the solid state fermentation showed increased levels of C18:1, C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acids. Differences in the regulation of enzyme synthesis by Aspergillus niger depended on the fermentation system, favoring the solid state over the submerged fermentation for pectinase production. Received 12 May 1997/ Accepted in revised form 19 September 1997     

Utilization of prawn waste for chitinase production by the marine fungus Beauveria bassiana by solid state fermentation

Prawn waste, a chitinous solid waste of the shellfish processing industry, was used as a substrate for chitinase production by the marine fungus Beauveria bassiana BTMF S10, in a solid state fermentation (SSF) culture. Theprocess parameters influencing SSF were optimized. A maximum chitinase yield of 248.0 units/g initial dry substrate (U/gIDS) was obtained in a medium containing a 5:1 ratio (w/v) of prawn waste/sea water, 1% (w/w) NaCl,2.5% (w/w) KH2PO4, 425–600m substrate particle size at 27°C, initial pH 9.5, and after 5 days of incubation. The presence of yeast extract reduced chitinase yield. The results indicate scope for the utilization of shellfish processing (prawn) waste for the industrial production of chitinase by using solid state fermentation.     

Optimization of mycophenolic acid production in solid state fermentation using response surface methodology

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) can be produced in solid state fermentation. An isolate of Penicillium brevi-compactum ATCC 16024 grown on moist wheat bran produced a titre of 425 mg per kg of wheat bran. Central composite rotatable design and response surface methodology were employed to derive a statistical model for media optimization towards production of mycophenolic acid. Five levels with a five factorial design were adopted. The correlation coefficient was 0.82, ensuring a satisfactory adjustment of the model to the experimental values. This statistical design was very effective in improving the titre of mycophenolic acid up to 3286 mg per kg of wheat bran. Received 24 July 1998/ Accepted in revised form 4 December 1998     

Utilisation of fruits waste for citric acid production by solid state fermentation

A solid state fermentation method was used to utilise pineapple, mixed fruit and maosmi waste as substrates for citric acid production using Aspergillus niger DS 1. Experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of methanol at different moisture levels. In the absence of methanol the maximum citric acid was obtained at 60% moisture level whereas in the presence of methanol the maximum citric acid was obtained at 70% moisture level. The stimulating effect of methanol was less at lower moisture level. The inhibitory effect of metal ions was also not observed and maximum citric acid yield of 51.4, 46.5 and 50% (based on sugar consumed) was obtained from pineapple, mixed fruit and maosmi residues, respectively.     

Phytase isozymes from Aspergillus niger NCIM 563 under solid state fermentation: Biochemical characterization and their correlation with submerged phytases

Aspergillus niger NCIM 563 produces dissimilar phytase isozymes under solid state and submerged fermentation conditions. Biochemical characterization and applications of phytase Phy III and Phy IV in SSF and their comparison with submerged fermentation Phy I and Phy III were studied. SSF phytases have a higher metabolic potential as compared to SmF. Phy I is tetramer and Phy II, III and IV are monomers. Phy I and IV have pH optima of 2.5 and Phy II and III have pH optima of 5.0 and 5.6, respectively. Phy I, III and IV exhibited very broad substrate specificity while Phy II was more specific for sodium phytate. SSF phytase is less thermostable as compared to SmF phytase. Phy I and II show homology with other known phytases while Phy III and IV show no homology with SmF phytases and any other known phytases from the literature suggesting their unique nature. This is the first report about differences among phytase produced under SSF and SmF by A. niger and this study provides basis for explanation of the stability and catalytic differences observed for these enzymes. Exclusive biochemical characteristics and multilevel application of SSF native phytases determine their efficacy and is exceptional.     

Optimization of media for β-fructofuranosidase production by Aspergillus niger in submerged and solid state fermentation

The kinetics of β-fructofuranosidase (Ffase) production by Aspergillus niger in submerged (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) systems was investigated. The maximum productivity of Ffase (81.8 U/l per h) was obtained in SSF for 72 h while it was 18.3 U/l per h in SmF for 120 h. The productivity of extra cellular Ffase produced in SSF was 5-fold higher than in SmF. Optimization of fermentation medium for Ffase production was carried out using De Meo's fractional factorial design with seven components such as (NH₄)₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄, FeSO₄, MgSO₄ · 7H₂O, sucrose, urea and yeast extract. The media designed for SmF after two steps of optimization supported the growth of A. niger and higher productivity of Ffase (58.3 U/l per h) than with the medium before optimization. The optimized medium of SmF when used in SSF, did not improve the Ffase productivity and therefore medium for SSF was optimized independent of SmF. After two optimization steps, the media was defined for SSF which supported the growth and high level of Ffase productivity (149.1 U/l per h) in SSF compared to the medium before optimization (81.8 U/l per h) and optimized medium for SmF (58.3 U/l per h). Our results suggested that the optimized media for SmF and SSF for the production of Ffase have to be different.     

里氏木霉LW1固态发酵纤维素酶条件的研究

采用里氏木霉LW 1(Trichoderma.Reesei)固体发酵生产纤维素酶,研究了秸杆粉和麦麸用量、料水比、起始pH值、发酵温度和发酵时间对该菌株产纤维素酶活力的影响。试验结果表明,里氏木霉LW 1的适宜发酵条件为:在秸秆∶麦麸=1∶1,料水比为1∶2的前提条件下,培养温度28℃,发酵周期为72h,起始pH5.5时产酶活力最高。浸出液中FPA酶活为119.417u/g干物质,CMC酶活为452.433u/g干物质。     

Efficient mosquitocidal toxin production by Bacillus sphaericus using cheese whey permeate under both submerged and solid state fermentations

Whey permeate (WP) was used efficiently for production of mosquitocidal toxin by Bacillus sphaericus 2362 (B. sphaericus 2362) and the Egyptian isolate, B. sphaericus 14N1 (B. sphaericus 14N1) under both submerged and solid state fermentation conditions. Under submerged fermentation, high mosquitocidal activity was produced by B. sphaericus 2362 and B. sphaericus 14N1 at 50-100% and 25-70% WP, respectively. Initial pH of WP was a critical factor for toxin production by both tested organisms. The highest toxicity was obtained at initial pH 7. Egyptian isolate, B. sphaericus 14N1 was tested for growth and toxin production under solid state fermentation conditions (SSF) by using WP as moistening agent instead of distilled water. The optimum conditions for production of B. sphaericus 14N1 on wheat bran-WP medium were 10 g wheat bran/250 ml flask moistened with 10-70% WP at 50% moisture content, inoculum size ranged between 17.2 × 10⁷ and 34.4 × 10⁷ and 6 days incubation under static conditions at 30 °C. Preliminary pilot-scale production of B. sphaericus 14N1 under SSF conditions in trays proved that wheat bran-WP medium was efficient and economic for industrial production of mosquitocidal toxin by B. sphaericus.     

Multiple use of aquatic green biomass for food/feed protein concentrate, bioenergy and microbial fermentation products

Fractionation of aquatic green biomass of three water weeds for multiple use through yield of protein concentrate, fibrous residue and whey (deproteinised juice) has been studied. The potential of protein concentrate for use as food/feed supplement, that of fibrous residue as ensilaged fodder/substrate for mushroom growth/production of bioenergy and of whey as substrate for microbial fermentation has been studied and is discussed.     

A practical approach to biosurfactant production using nonaseptic fermentation of mixed cultures

Non-aseptic production of biosurfactant from molasses by a mixed culture was investigated in stirred batch reactors. Biosurfactant production was quantified by surface tension reduction, critical micelle dilution (CMD), and emulsification capacity (EC). Biosurfactant production was directly correlated with biomass production, and was improved by pH control and addition of yeast extract. Centrifugation of the whole broth increased emulsifying capacity and reduced surface tension. Acidification of the whole broth increased the emulsification capacity but reduced the apparent biosurfactant concentration (CMD), without affecting the surface tension. The emulsification capacity of the cell-free broth was equivalent to that of a 100 mg/L solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The emulsification capacity of the whole broth and cell-free broth were reduced by about 50% at and above NaCl concentrations of 100mM. Preliminary characterization suggests that the biosurfactant activity is primarily associated with one or more protease-sensitive species, released from cells in larger quantities after more vigorous centrifugation.     

Aerobic submerged fermentation by acetic acid bacteria for vinegar production: Process and biotechnological aspects

Strictly aerobic acetic acid bacteria (AAB) have a long history of use in fermentation processes, and the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid for the production of vinegar is the most well-known application.At the industrial scale, vinegar is mainly produced by submerged fermentation, which refers to an aerobic process in which the ethanol in beverages such as spirits, wine or cider is oxidized to acetic acid by AAB. Submerged fermentation requires robust AAB strains that are able to oxidize ethanol under selective conditions to produce high-titer acetic acid. Currently submerged fermentation is conducted by unselected AAB cultures, which are derived from previous acetification stocks and maintained by repeated cultivation cycles.In this work, submerged fermentation for vinegar production is discussed with regard to advances in process optimization and parameters (oxygen availability, acetic acid content and temperature) that influence AAB activity. Furthermore, the potential impact arising from the use of selected AAB is described.Overcoming the acetification constraints is a main goal in order to facilitate innovation in submerged fermentation and to create new industry-challenging perspectives.     

Use of Pleurotus dryinus for lignocellulolytic enzymes production in submerged fermentation of mandarin peels and tree leaves

It has been shown that the wood-rotting mushroom Pleurotus dryinus IBB 903 is able to effectively produce cellulases, xylanase, laccase, and manganese peroxidase in submerged fermentation of mandarin peels and tree leaves. Gradual increasing of lignocellulosic substrates concentration from 1 to 4–6% enhanced enzyme accumulation in culture liquid. A simple and inexpensive medium containing mandarin peels and yeast extract as sole carbon and nitrogen sources allowed simultaneous production of high levels of both hydrolases and oxidases by P. dryinus IBB 903. Supplementation of this medium by copper and manganese caused earlier and faster accumulation of laccase and manganese peroxidase increasing their yield by 1.5 and 7.5 times, respectively. In addition, by adding manganese to the medium it is possible to regulate the ratio of laccase and MnP in enzyme preparation. The presence of lignocellulosic substrate is the requisite for MnP production by P. dryinus IBB 903 since there was no production of MnP when mushroom has been cultivated in the synthetic medium with different carbon source. Among carbon source tested only utilization of glucose resulted to 21-fold increase of fungus laccase specific activity compared to control medium without carbon source. Carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase appeared to be inducible enzymes.     

Sclerotia growth and carotenoid production of Penicillium sp PT95 during solid state fermentation of corn meal

Using corn meal as fermentation substrate, the effect of some factors, fermentation time and supplementation of saccharide and nitrogen sources as well as vegetable oil, on the sclerotia growth and carotenoid production of Penicillium sp PT95 during solid state fermentation were studied. When PT95 strain was grown on the amended medium by supplementing of 3g NaNO3, 10g maltose and 2.5g soybean oil per liter of salt solution to basal medium for 20 days, the dry sclerotia weight and carotenoid yield reached 9.70 g and 5260 g / 100 g of substrate, respectively. Without supplementation only 5.36g dry sclerotia and 2149g carotenoid / 100 g of substrate was attained. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Estimating fine-root biomass and production of boreal and cool temperate forests using aboveground measurements: A new approach

Information of fine-root biomass and production is critical for quantifying the productivity and carbon cycle of forest ecosystems, and yet our ability to obtain this information especially at a large spatial scale (e.g., regional to global) is extremely limited. Several studies attempted to relate fine-root biomass and production with various aboveground variables that can be measured more easily so that fine-root biomass and production could be estimated at a large spatial scale, but found the correlations were generally weak or non-existed at the stand level. In this study, we tested a new approach: instead of using the conventional way of analysing fine-root biomass at the stand level, we analysed fine-root data at the tree level. Fine-root biomass of overstory trees in stand was first separated from that of understory and standardized to a common fine-root definition of < 2 mm or < 5 mm diameter. Afterwards, we calculated fine-root biomass per tree for a representative tree size of mean basal area for each stand. Statistically significant correlations between the fine-root biomass per tree and the diameter at the ground surface were found for all four boreal and cool temperate spruce, pine, fir and broadleaf forest types, and so allometric equations were developed for each group using a total of n = 212 measurements. The stand-level fine-root biomass of trees estimated using the allometric equations agrees well with the measurements, with r ² values of 0.64 and 0.57 (n = 171), respectively, for fine-roots < 2 mmand < 5 mm diameter. This study further estimated fine-root production as the product of fine-root turnover rate and fine-root biomass, and determined the turnover rate as a function of fine-root biomass, stand age, and mean annual temperature. The estimates of tree fine-root production agree well with reported values, with r ² value of 0.53 for < 2 mm and 0.54 for < 5 mm diameter (n = 162) at the stand level.     

Studies on potential effects of fumaric acid on rumen microbial fermentation,methane production and microbial community

The greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) contributes substantially to global climate change. As a potential approach to decrease ruminal methanogenesis, the effects of different dosages of fumaric acid (FA) on ruminal microbial metabolism and on the microbial community (archaea, bacteria) were studied using a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). FA acts as alternative hydrogen acceptor diverting 2H from methanogenesis of archaea towards propionate formation of bacteria. Three identical trials were conducted with 12 fermentation vessels over a period of 14 days. In each trial, four fermentation vessels were assigned to one of the three treatment groups differing in FA dosage: low fumaric acid (LFA), high fumaric acid (HFA) and without FA (control). FA was continuously infused with the buffer. Grass silage and concentrate served as substrate. FA led to decreases in pH and to higher production rates of total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) mediated by increases in propionate for LFA of 1.69 mmol d^?1 and in propionate and acetate production for HFA of 4.49 and 1.10 mmol d^?1, respectively. Concentrations of NH₃-N, microbial crude protein synthesis, their efficiency, degradation of crude nutrients and detergent fibre fraction were unchanged. Total gas and CH₄ production were not affected by FA. Effects of FA on structure of microbial community by means of single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses could not be detected. Given the observed increase in propionate production and the unaffected CH₄ production it can be supposed that the availability of reduction equivalents like 2H was not limited by the addition of FA in this study. It has to be concluded from the present study that the application of FA is not an appropriate approach to decrease the ruminal CH₄ production.     

Cell identification and sizing using digital image analysis for estimation of cell biomass in High Rate Algal Ponds

Current environmental concerns make estimation of microbial biomass apriority for monitoring purposes and to advance scientific understanding. Thispaper considers problems associated with algal cell imaging and measurement forcell biomass estimation in samples from high rate algal ponds. In a complexsystem, the only way of measuring microbial activity is to measure theindividual cells and estimate biovolumes. Accurate biomass determinationsdemanddirect microscopic counting and measurement of the sizes of individualmicrobialcells taken from known volumes of water. The system used for routinemeasurementat the laboratory where the images were generated, based on standard microscopeequipment, is only suitable for treatment of well dispersed specimens.Differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, on the other hand, offersthe best solution for optical enhancement of cell contrast, and produces animage with well defined edges, yet presents a great challenge to routine cellidentification by digital image analysis, owing to the bas-relief type imageproduced. The paper outlines several image analysis methods developedspecifically for this purpose, and presents illustrative results.     

Production and optimization of process parameters for alkaline protease production by a newly isolated Bacillus sp. under solid state fermentation

Production of alkaline protease employing the laboratory isolate, Bacillus sp. under solid state fermentation (SSF) was optimized. The effect of wheat bran and lentil husk was examined. Wheat bran showed highest enzyme production. The appropriate incubation time, inoculum size, moisture level and buffer solution level were determined. Maximum yields of 429.041 and 168.640 U g⁻¹ were achieved by employing wheat bran and lentil husk as substrates in 0.1 M carbonate/bicarbonate buffer at pH 10 with 30 and 40% initial moisture level at 24 h. Inoculum size and buffer solution level were found to be 20 and 25% and 0.5:1 for wheat bran and lentil husk, respectively.     

Optimization of submerged culture process for the production of mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharides by Cordyceps militaris C738

AIMS: The objective of the present study was to determine the optimal culture conditions for mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharide (EPS) by Cordyceps militaris C738 in submerged culture. METHODS AND RESULTS: The optimal temperatures for mycelial biomass and EPS production were 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively, and corresponding optimal initial pHs were found to be 9 and 6, respectively. The suggested medium composition for EPS production was as follows: 6% (w/v) sucrose, 1% (w/v) polypeptone, and 0.05% (w/v) K2HPO4. The influence of pH on the fermentation broth rheology, morphology and EPS production of C. militaris C738 was carried out in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. The morphological properties were comparatively characterized by pellet roughness and compactness by use of image analyser between the culture conditions with and without pH control. The roughness and compactness of the pellets indicated higher values at pH-stat culture (pH 6.0), suggesting that larger and more compact pellets were desirable for polysaccharide production (0.91 g g(-1) cell d(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Under the optimized culture conditions (with pH control at 6), the maximum concentration of biomass and EPS were 12.7 g l(-1) and 7.3 g l(-1), respectively, in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The critical effect of pH on fungal morphology and rheology presented in this study can be widely applied to other mushroom fermentation processes.