Predicting vegetative inoculum performance to maximize phytase production in solid-state fermentation using response surface methodology

Microbial phytase is used to reduce the environmental loading of phosphorus from animal production facilities. The limiting factors in the use of this enzyme in animal feeds can be overcome by solid-state fermentation (SSF), which is a promising technology for commercial enzyme production with lower production costs. Inoculum quality and the influence of inoculum quality on phytase production are important factors which need in-depth investigation before scaling-up of high-yielding fermentation process. A full factorial experimental design for 240 h with sampling at every 24 h was used to determine the effects of the treatments, inoculum age (plate and liquid culture), media composition and the duration of SSF on the production of fungal biomass and phytase in SSF systems using Aspergillus niger. The optimal treatment combination for maximal phytase production was determined by statistically comparing all treatments at each sampling time. Both 7- and 14-day plate cultures and M1+ medium composition with 72-h-old liquid inoculum treatments resulted in optimal phytase production at 144 h of SSF, which was the shortest duration observed for maximal phytase production. This resulted in maximal phytase production with a mean of 884±121 U/g substrate, while the maximal phytase production observed at 216 h of SSF (mean phytase activity of 1008±121 U/g substrate), with the same treatment combinations, was not statistically significant from that at 144 h of SSF. Phytase production was strongly growth-associated with younger inocula. The significant treatment variables, age of liquid inoculum and the duration of SSF, were used to predict the system response for phytase production using response surface methodology. From the response surface model, the optimal response of the experiment was predicted and the reliability of the prediction was checked with the verification experiment. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 26, 161–170. Received 06 June 2000/ Accepted in revised form 14 October 2000     

Mitochondrial location of pyruvate carboxylase in Aspergillus niger

Pyruvate carboxylase has been found in the mitochondrial fraction of two strains of Aspergillus niger along with the marker enzymes of citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase. The location of pyruvate carboxylase in A. nidulans was, however, confirmed to be in the cytosolic fraction. The enzyme from the former sources was dependent upon the presence of acetyl-CoA for full activity; the enzyme from A. nidulans was unaffected by the presence or absence of acetyl-CoA.     

Regioselective Enzymatic Hydrolysis of 3',5'-DI-O-Acetylthymidine and Observation of a Surface Effect Due to Polystyrene

The selective enzymatic hydrolysis of 3',5'-di-O-acetylthyidine (1) was studied. The lipases from porcine pancreas and Aspergillus niger, and pig liver esterase, all catalysed selective hydrolysis of the 5'O-acetyl group, but the lipase from Candida cylindracea catalysed selective hydrolysis of the 3'-O-acetyl group. Highest selectivity, leading to essentially pure 3'-O-acetylthymidine, was achieved using porcine pancreatic lipase in dilute solution at pH 7.5. Provision of an artificial interface in the form of polystyrene beads led to a significant increase in the rate of hydrolysis, accompanied by a marked fall in selectivity. Other changes in the hydrolysis conditions, such as raising the concentration of substrate or adding cosolvent, also led to a fall in selectivity.     

黑曲霉组成型表面展示南极假丝酵母脂肪酶B及其发酵调控

黑曲霉表面展示南极假丝酵母脂肪酶B(CALB)可有效应用于食品、化妆品、医药等行业。以黑曲霉Aspergillus niger SH-1为宿主细胞构建诱导型糖化酶基因启动子表面展示CALB,在较高浓度葡萄糖碳源的发酵中CALB表达会受到抑制,发酵后期菌体容易出现菌丝断裂和展示酶活力下降等问题。采用组成型3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶基因启动子替代诱导型糖化酶基因启动子的细胞表面展示CALB黑曲霉菌株可有效解决上述问题,该菌株不但可以利用葡萄糖,而且还能利用木糖为发酵碳源,以木糖为碳源发酵在144 h展示酶水平达到1 100.28 U/g。文中探讨了甘蔗渣水解液发酵生产黑曲霉表面展示CALB,初步达到预期的结果,为甘蔗渣的综合利用提供了新途径。     

One-step purification of glucoamylase by affinity precipitation with alginate.

It was found that alginate binds to glucoamylase, presumably through the recognition of starch binding domain of the latter. The present work exploits this for purification of glucoamylases from commercial preparation of Aspergillus niger and crude culture filtrate of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by affinity precipitation technique in a single-step protocol. Glucoamylase is selectively precipitated using alginate as macroaffinity ligand and later eluted with 1.0 M maltose. In the case of A. niger, 81% activity is recovered with 28-fold purification. The purified glucoamylase gave a single band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to 78 kDa molecular weight. The developed affinity precipitation process also works efficiently for purification of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens glucoamylase from its crude culture filtrate, giving 78% recovery with 38-fold purification. The purified preparation showed a major band corresponding to 62 kDa and a faint band about 50 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The latter corresponds to the molecular weight for alpha-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.     

Colonization of peanut roots by biofilm-forming Paenibacillus polymyxa initiates biocontrol against crown rot disease

Aim: To investigate the role of biofilm‐forming Paenibacillus polymyxa strains in controlling crown root rot disease. Methods and Results: Two plant growth‐promoting P. polymyxa strains were isolated from the peanut rhizosphere, from Aspergillus niger‐suppressive soils. The strains were tested, under greenhouse and field conditions for inhibition of the crown root rot pathogen of the peanut, as well as for biofilm formation in the peanut rhizosphere. The strains’ colonization and biofilm formation were further studied on roots of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and with solid surface assays. Their crown root rot inhibition performance was studied in field and pot experiments. The strains’ ability to form biofilms in gnotobiotic and soil systems was studied employing scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: Both strains were able to suppress the pathogen but the superior biofilm former offers significantly better protection against crown rot. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study highlights the importance of efficient rhizosphere colonization and biofilm formation in biocontrol.     

黑曲霉FS25产β—葡萄糖酶发酵特性的研究

黑曲霉(Aspergillusniger)FS25产β-葡聚糖酶最适碳源为大麦粉,氮源为玉米浆;最佳摇瓶发酵配方为大麦粉6g,玉米浆2g,(NH4)2SO40.4g,FeSO4@7H2O0.01g,Na2HPO4@3H2O0.1g,CaCO30.5g,MgSO4@7H2O0.03g,麦麸0.8g,发酵初始pH为5.0,定容100mL.发酵温度为32℃,250mL三角瓶发酵液的装量为50mL,接种量为1.5mL孢子悬液(1.5×107个/mL);发酵周期为30h,酶活达到80.1u/mL,比初始的产酶水平提高了84.1%.     

复合诱变黑曲霉选育β-葡萄糖苷酶高产菌株

对黑曲霉原生质体进行紫外、ＬｉＣｌ复合诱变,观察诱变后原生质体再生菌落,发现了抱子颜色变异较大的菌株,且其变化与酶产量相关。经发酵筛选,获得卜葡萄糖昔酶活较高菌株,其酶活由出发菌株的１０ｕ／ｍｌ提高到１４．７ｕ／ｍｌ。再对高产突变株进行氮离子注入,酶活又提高２０％（达１７ｕ／ｍｌ）。