Oxygen transfer coefficient and the kinetic parameters of exo-polygalacturonase production by Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 in shake flasks and bioreactor.

AIMS: To evaluate and compare the sensitivity of Exo-PG production and kinetic parameters of Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 to oxygen transfer condition in shake flasks and bioreactor. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 was grown on pectin as carbon source in shake flasks and bioreactor at different oxygen transfer conditions. The volumetric coefficient of oxygen transfer (kLa) was modified by changing both, the flask size/medium volume ratio and the agitation speed. Higher biomass concentration, Exo-PG activity, maximum specific growth rate and yield coefficient were obtained in bioreactor at higher kLa value. A strong correlation was found between biomass, Exo-PG activity and growth-associated product coefficient to kLa in bioreactor but does not in shake flasks. The mathematical model provided a good description of growth, pectin consumption and Exo-PG production in submerged batch cultures carried out in bioreactor. CONCLUSIONS: Biomass concentration, Exo-PG activity and their kinetics of Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 were strongly influenced by oxygen transfer condition and cultivation system. Significance and Impact of Study The production of enzymes by fungal fermentation is strictly aerobic and understanding the influence of oxygen transfer condition on the production kinetic is of vital importance in order to design, optimize and translate bioprocesses to industrial scale.

Use of fruit residues for pectinase production by Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 and Aspergillus terreus FP-370.

AIMS: Utilization of fruit residues for pectinase production by two Aspergillus strains for recognizing the effects of some factors during fermentation and describing enzyme production kinetics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pectinase production on several fruit residues was compared. The effects of three factors on the production of several pectinases were evaluated by a full factorial 2(k) experimental design. Higher activities were obtained on lemon peel. In both strains, acidic pH values and high carbon source concentration favoured exopectinase and endopectinase production, while higher pH values and low carbon source concentration promoted pectin lyase and rhamnogalacturonase production. Unstructured mathematical modelling provided a good description of pectinase production in a submerged batch culture. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit residues were very good substrates for pectinase production, and Aspergillus strains used showed a promising performance in submerged fermentation. Mathematical modelling was useful to describe growth and pectinase production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Lemon peel can be used as a substrate to obtain high pectinase titres by Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 and Aspergillus terreus FP-370. The factors that contributed to improve the yield were identified, which supports the possibility of using this substrate in the industrial production of these enzymes.