Protease production by Rhizopus oligosporus in solid-state fermentation

Rice bran was superior to other proteinaceous substrates for protease production by Rhizopus oligosporus ACM 145F in solid-state fermentation. Maximum protease yield was after 72 h. The optimal initial moisture content was 47% (a _w=0.97). Dried, ground and resuspended fermented rice was the most pratical and effective inoculum preparation, although, in the laboratory, spore suspensions prepared directly from agar slants were more convenient. Inoculum density (from 10² to 10⁷ spores/g substrate) and age (3, 5, 7 and 9 days) had little effect on protease yield.The authors are with the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia     

Use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure the concentrations of aerial and penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on a solid surface

In order to develop a method for use in investigations of spatial biomass distribution in solid-state fermentation systems, confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to determine the concentrations of aerial and penetrative biomass against height and depth above and below the substrate surface, during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on potato dextrose agar. Penetrative hyphae had penetrated to a depth of 0.445 cm by 64 h and showed rhizoid morphology, in which the maximum biomass concentration, of 4.45 mg dry wt cm(-3), occurred at a depth of 0.075 cm. For aerial biomass the maximum density of 39.54 mg dry wt (-3) occurred at the substrate surface. For both aerial and penetrative biomass, there were two distinct regions in which the biomass concentration decayed exponentially with distance from the surface. For aerial biomass, the first exponential decay region was up to 0.1 cm height. The second region above the height of 0.1 cm corresponded to that in which sporangiophores dominated. This work lays the foundation for deeper studies into what controls the growth of fungal hyphae above and below the surfaces of solid substrates.     

Response of Rhizopus oligosporus to temporal temperature profiles in a model solid-state fermentation system.

Membrane overcultures of Rhizopus oligosporus were shifted from 37 to 50 degrees C for 10 h and then returned to 37 degrees C, mimicking the temporal temperature profiles which typically occur in SSF due to heat transfer limitations. Analysis with a modified two-phase growth model suggests that the temperature upshift causes a 48% decrease in the number of actively extending hyphal tips, and that the first order death rate constant of tips increases from 0. 059 to 0.073 h(-1). The fungus did not immediately recover when the temperature was returned to 37 degrees C. The model assumed that the specific growth rate constant microgram(g) was not affected by the increase of temperature, although contradictory data was obtained from radial growth rate experiments.     

Intra-particle oxygen diffusion limitation in solid-state fermentation

Oxygen limitation in solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been the topic of modeling studies, but thus far, there has been no experimental elucidation on oxygen-transfer limitation at the particle level. Therefore, intra-particle oxygen transfer was experimentally studied in cultures of Rhizopus oligosporus grown on the surface of solid, nutritionally defined, glucose and starch media. The fungal mat consisted of two layers--an upper layer with sparse aerial hyphae and gas-filled interstitial pores, and a dense bottom layer with liquid-filled pores. During the course of cultivation ethanol was detected in the medium indicating that oxygen was depleted in part of the fungal mat. Direct measurement of the oxygen concentrations in the fungal mat during cultivation, using oxygen microelectrodes, showed no oxygen depletion in the upper aerial layer, but revealed development of steep oxygen concentration gradients in the wet bottom layer. Initially, the fungal mat was fully oxygenated, but after 36.5 hours oxygen was undetectable at 100 microm below the gas-liquid interface. This was consistent with the calculated oxygen penetration depth using a reaction-diffusion model. Comparison of the overall oxygen consumption rate from the gas phase to the oxygen flux at the gas-liquid interface showed that oxygen consumption of the microorganisms occurred mainly in the wet part of the fungal mat. The contribution of the aerial hyphae to overall oxygen consumption was negligible. It can be concluded that optimal oxygen transfer in SSF depends on the available interfacial gas-liquid surface area and the thickness of the wet fungal layer. It is suggested that the moisture content of the matrix affects both parameters and, therefore, plays an important role in optimizing oxygen transfer in SSF cultures.     

里氏木霉与米根霉混合固态发酵产纤维素酶

以里氏木霉及米根霉单菌固态发酵为对象,考察不同混合发酵形式对里氏木霉与米根霉混合固态发酵产纤维素酶的影响。结果表明:同时接种里氏木霉与米根霉,试验考察的两菌种接种量比1∶1(以孢子个数计)及5∶1条件下,两菌未产生明显协同产酶作用。米根霉延时(24 h)接种且菌种量比5∶1以及米根霉延时(48 h)接种且菌种量比1∶1,2种发酵形式产酶情况类似,滤纸酶活(FPA)及羧甲基纤维素酶(CMCase)酶活相对米根霉单菌发酵有所提高,而β-葡萄糖苷酶(β-GA)酶活相对里氏木霉单菌固态发酵结束时分别增加4.66及4.40倍,可以发现两菌产生一定协同作用。在米根霉延时(48 h)接种且菌种量比5∶1的发酵形式下,FPA及CMCase在发酵第7天酶活分别达到44.04 IU/g、627.14 U/g(以1 g干曲计),分别是里氏木霉固态单菌发酵产酶达到稳定期时酶活的1.36和1.63倍,两菌产生了有效的协同作用。     

The mechanism of cadmium removal from aqueous solution by nonmetabolizing free and immobilized live biomass of Rhizopus oligosporus

A preliminary study on the removal of cadmium by nonmetabolizing live biomass of Rhizopus oligosporus from aqueous solution is presented. The equilibrium of the process was in all cases well described by the Langmuir sorption isotherm, suggesting that the process was a chemical, equilibrated and saturable mechanism which reflected the predominantly site-specific mechanism on the cell surface. A curve of Scatchard transformation plots reflected the covalent nature of Cd²⁺ adsorption by the cells. The maximum cadmium uptake capacities were 34.25 mg/g for immobilized cells and 17.09 mg/g for free cells. Some factorial experiments in shake flasks were performed in order to investigate the effect of different initial cadmium concentrations and biomass concentrations on the equilibrium. Experimental results showed a reverse trend of the influence of the immobilized and free biomass concentration on the cadmium specific uptake capacity. The immobilized cells had a higher specific cadmium uptake capacity with increasing biomass concentrations compared to free cells. In a bioreactor, the cadmium uptake capacity of immobilized cells (q_max = 30.1–37.5 mg/g) was similar to that observed in shake flask experiments (q_max = 34.25 mg/g) whereas with free cells the bioreactor q_max of 4.8–13.0 mg/g; was much lower than in shake flasks (q_max = 17.09 mg/g), suggesting that cadmium biosorption by immobilized cells of R. oligosporus might be further improved in bigger reactors. EDAX and transmission electron microscopic experiments on the fungal biomass indicated that the presence of Cd²⁺ sequestrated to the cell wall was due to bioadsorption.     

少根根霉菌株发酵生产纤溶酶条件的研究

发酵条件优化可提高少根根霉菌株8B所产纤溶酶的活性。使用单因素试验和正交试验确定该茵发酵产酶的最佳条件。试验确定最优化发酵条件,培养基：麸皮水5g／L,尿素5g／L,胰蛋白胨0．5g／L,K2HPO4·3H2O 0．3g／L,MgSO4·7H2O 0.15g／L,pH5.5,摇床转速160r／min,30℃发酵56h。在此优化条件下培养,8B产纤溶酶活力达到345．41U／mL,是初始培养基发酵产酶活力的7．52倍。     

Agar plate growth studies of Rhizopus oligosporus and Aspergillus oryzae to determine their suitability for solid-state fermentation

Summary Colony radial growth rates of Rhizopus oligosporus and Aspergillus oryzae were compared under various conditions on agar plates containing cassava starch. Both organisms grew well on cassava starch as their sole source of carbon and energy, although growth was stimulated by the addition of yeast extract and peptone. Neither organism utilized ungelatinized starch effectively. The optimum initial pH for R. oligosporus was 7, although good growth was obtained at pH 5 when ammonium sulfate was partially replaced by urea. A. oryzae grew well over a range of initial pH values from 5 to 8. Growth of R. oligosporus was inhibited by NaCl concentrations above 0.5% (w/v) while A. oryzae was unaffected up to 4% NaCl. The best colony radial growth rate obtained for R. oligosporus was 1.01 mm/h, which was far superior to that obtained for A. oryzae (0.29 mm/h). R. oligosporus was chosen as the more suitable organism for future studies of the protein enrichment of cassava by solid-state fermentation.     

Effect of individual amino acids and glucose on activation and germination of Rhizopus oligosporus sporangiospores in tempe starter

AIM: To understand the conditions promoting activation and germination of spores, and to contribute to the control of tempe starters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using microscopic counts of fluorescent labelled spores, the following results were obtained: (1) L-alanine plays an important role (of the same order as that of peptone) in stimulation of germination of dormant spores. Alanine can satisfy the requirements of carbon as well as nitrogen for spore germination; (2) L-proline, on the other hand, inhibits alanine uptake presumably by blocking/congesting transporters of spore cells, resulting in apparent low viability on agar media; (3) L-leucine and L-isoleucine slightly favour spore germination while L-arginine and L-lysine do not have any stimulating effect; (4) The stimulatory role of glucose was only evident in the presence of phosphate (in minimal medium); when glucose is used in the absence of phosphate, either alone or in combination with single amino acids its role is hardly distinguishable; (5) Phosphate plays a facilitating role in spore germination. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose and amino acids play important roles in activation and germination of sporangiospores of Rhizopus oligosporus in tempe starter (stored for 12 months). The ability and rate of germination of dormant/old sporangiospores of R. oligosporus, depend on their ability for uptake of individual amino acids and/or glucose. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: New light was shed on the counteractive role of proline and the stimulating effect of phosphate. Soybeans subjected to traditional preparation for tempe making are heavily leached; germination of starter spores on such beans is sub-optimal, and bean processing could be optimized.     

华根霉产纤溶酶液体发酵条件的研究

研究了华根霉TCCC 41014产纤溶酶液态发酵的工艺条件,采用单因素实验对液态发酵培养基的碳源、氮源、初始pH值、温度和装液量进行了优化.结果表明,实验范围内华根霉TCCC41014液态发酵产纤溶酶的适宜培养基组成(g桙L):糊精80,蛋白胨60,豆粕60,初始pH为4.5.适宜培养条件:培养温度为29℃,装液量为5...     

Suppression of penetrative hyphae ofRhizopus oligosporus by membrane filters in a model solid-state fermentation system

Summary Membrane filters overlaid on slabs of a model solid substrate enabled recovery of biomass ofRhizopus oligosporus. Although the presence of the membrane filter affects the growth ofRhizopus oligosporus it provides a useful tool for studying solid-state fermentation.     

A weighing method to identify the microbial growth phases in solid-state fermentation tests

A general equation correlating the variation rate of the fermenting medium weight (dry matter) and the cell biomass growth rate in solid-state fermentation tests is proposed with the main purpose of identifying the microbial growth phases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mimicking gas and temperature changes during enzyme production by Rhizopus oligosporus in solid-state fermentation

Step changes in the gas environment and temperature during membrane culture of Rhizopus oligosporus were made to mimic those changes which arise during solid-state fermentation due to mass and heat transfer limitations. A decrease of O2 concentration from 21% to 0.5% did not alter protease production by R. oligosporus but retarded amyloglucosidase production. An upshift from 37°C to 50°C decreased the activities of both enzymes, with the effect on protease being due to enzyme deactivation rather than a decrease in production. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Use of confocal microscopy to follow the development of penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in an artificial solid-state fermentation system

Two methods were compared for determining the concentration of penetrative biomass during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on an artificial solid substrate consisting of an inert gel and starch as the sole source of carbon and energy. The first method was based on the use of a hand microtome to make sections of approximately 0.2- to 0.4-mm thickness parallel to the substrate surface and the determination of the glucosamine content in each slice. Use of glucosamine measurements to estimate biomass concentrations was shown to be problematic due to the large variations in glucosamine content with mycelial age. The second method was a novel method based on the use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to estimate the fractional volume occupied by the biomass. Although it is not simple to translate fractional volumes into dry weights of hyphae due to the lack of experimentally determined conversion factors, measurement of the fractional volumes in themselves is useful for characterizing fungal penetration into the substrate. Growth of penetrative biomass in the artificial model substrate showed two forms of growth with an indistinct mass in the region close to the substrate surface and a few hyphae penetrating perpendicularly to the surface in regions further away from the substrate surface. The biomass profiles against depth obtained from the confocal microscopy showed two linear regions on log-linear plots, which are possibly related to different oxygen availability at different depths within the substrate. Confocal microscopy has the potential to be a powerful tool in the investigation of fungal growth mechanisms in solid-state fermentation.     

Limitations of membrane cultures as a model solid-state fermentation system

AIMS: To examine the reliability of membrane cultures as a model solid-state fermentation (SSF) system. METHODS AND RESULTS: In overcultures of Aspergillus oryzae on sterilized wheat flour discs overlaid with a polycarbonate membrane, we demonstrated that the presence of membrane filters reduced the maximum respiration rate (up to 50%), and biomass and alpha-amylase production. We also show that the advantage of membrane cultures, i.e. total recovery of biomass, is not very evident for the system used, while the changes in metabolism and kinetics are serious drawbacks. CONCLUSIONS: The use of membrane cultures is artificial and without substantial benefits and therefore has to be carefully considered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In future studies on kinetics and stoichiometry of SSF, one should not completely rely on experiments using membrane cultures as a model SSF system.     

利用木霉与根霉两步发酵秸秆制备L-乳酸研究

以秸秆为原料进行生物转化大量制备有机酸意义重大.在秸秆汽爆法预处理的基础上,以绿色木霉为菌种转化制备秸秆糖,对降解单糖接种米根霉进行二次发酵制备L-乳酸.试验结果表明,第一步绿色木霉固态培养制备纤维素酶时,控温30℃、通气0.12L/(L.min)、发酵40h后制备干曲,后按10g干曲/L汽爆液的配比进行55℃酶解36h,五、六碳糖累积浓度达到86g/L.第二步米根霉发酵时,控制温度32℃、通气0.4L/(L·min)、转速450r/min,发酵48h,最终产L-乳酸累积浓度为81.6g/L.秸秆制备L-乳酸的两步发酵法发酵工艺具有推广价值.     

根霉纤溶酶发酵条件的优化

研究了不同培养基对中国根霉１２号（Ｒｈｉｚｏｐｕｓ ｃｈｉｎｅｓｉｓ１２）发酵生产纤溶酶的影响,发现Ｃ／Ｎ的降低有利于产酶,同时用正产实验给出了最佳培养条件为：以麸皮水＋胰蛋白胨＋豆渣为培养基,接种量２０％,转速１７０ｒ／ｍｉｎ;用响应面设计确定了最佳培养基为４．３６６６１％麸皮水＋０．９８９７５％胰蛋白胨＋４．８９８９５％豆渣;在最优条件下,纤溶酶的发酵效价可达３．０６Ｕ／ｍｌ。发现添加金属离子     

Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy of hyphal colonisation of Chenopodium quinoa during fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus

In a study of tempe made by fermenting quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) with Rhizopus oligosporus Saito, the interaction between the substrate and the fungus varied according to the raw material used. Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy confirmed that hyphal infiltration in quinoa was normally limited by the seed coat, but a massive penetration was found in fragments of quinoa where the testa was broken. This finding has implications for the texture and quality of tempe fermentation of grains and pulses.     

Image analysis for monitoring the barley tempeh fermentation process

AIMS: To develop a fast, accurate, objective and nondestructive method for monitoring barley tempeh fermentation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Barley tempeh is a food made from pearled barley grains fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus. Rhizopus oligosporus growth is important for tempeh quality, but quantifying its growth is difficult and laborious. A system was developed for analysing digital images of fermentation stages using two image processing methods. The first employed statistical measures sensitive to image colour and surface structure, and these statistical measures were highly correlated (r=0.92, n=75, P<0.001) with ergosterol content of tempeh fermented with R. oligosporus and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In the second method, an image-processing algorithm optimized to changes in images of final tempeh products was developed to measure number of visible barley grains. A threshold of 5 visible grains per Petri dish indicated complete tempeh fermentation. When images of tempeh cakes fermented with different inoculation levels of R. oligosporus were analysed the results from the two image processing methods were in good agreement. CONCLUSION: Image processing proved suitable for monitoring barley tempeh fermentation. The method avoids sampling, is nonintrusive, and only requires a digital camera with good resolution and image analysis software. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The system provides a rapid visualization of tempeh product maturation and qualities during fermentation. Automated online monitoring of tempeh fermentation by coupling automated image acquisition with image processing software could be further developed for process control.