Biomass production,carbon and oxygen consumption by Rhizopus arrhizus grown in submerged cultures on thin liquid films or immobilized on fibrous and particulate materials

Summary Oxygen consumption of Rhizopus arrhizus cultures was studied in order to understand why anaerobic-type metabolism takes place during growth, with high lactic acid synthesis. Rather than insufficient oxygen supply, pellet-type morphology was found to be responsible. Cultures with carriers and on thin liquid films were investigated with very good results for the second method. Not only was biomass production improved, but also carbon consumption was higher and lactic acid synthesis less compared with traditional submerged flask cultures. Offprint requests to: J. C. Roux