Influence of spore concentration on microorganism morphology and on glucoamylase production in submerged cultures of Aspergillus awamori

ABSTRACT

The influence of the spore concentration in the inoculum preparation on microorganism morphology and glucoamylase synthesis by submerged cultures of Aspergillus awamori was investigated. A series of fermenter runs were perfomed, using an initial total reducing sugar concentration of 40 g/L. The inocula were prepared in a rotatory shaker, at 35§C 200 rev/min for 24 hours, varying spore concentration in the flasks from 9.5 x 10(3) to 1.8 x 10 (7) spores/mL. The inocula prepared with a spore concentration between 9.5 x 10(3) spores/mL and 5.0 x 10(6) spores/mL were composed by a cell suspension mainly in the pellet form, which led to a filamentous growth in the fermenter. Glucoamylase production was not affected by this range of spore concentration, reaching values between 2,100 U/L and 2,300 U/L. However, a higher spore concentration in the inoculum preparation (1.8 x 10(7) spores/mL) led to a inoculum formed by a cell suspension in the filamentous form containing many spore agglomerates (non-germinated spores). The kind of inoculum led to a growth predominantly in the pellet form in fermenter, which reduced the glucoamylase production in 30 (per cent).