Methanogens in the human intestinal tract and oral cavity

Curvularia lunata var.aeria was grown in YPD (yeast extract, peptone, and dextrose) medium (pH 6.5) at 28°C with varying concentrations (10–40 g/L) of glucose for the production of rifamycin oxidase. Enzyme activity and glucose concentration were found to be indirectly related to the production of black intracellular pigment by the organism. Depletion of glucose level and rise of culture pH initiate the synthesis of pigment. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as a carbon source to improve the enzyme yield, but utilization of the substrate in the reactor was much less. Compared with 10 g/L of CMC in the medium, low or high concentrations of CMC did not yield any better result. Addition of glucose in YPC (yeast extract, peptone, and CMC) medium did not increase the enzyme activity, and glucose was rapidly utilized byC. lunata, forming pellets rather than mycelia.