Optimization of a pellicular biocatalyst for penicillin G production by Penicillium chrysogenum

✍ Scribed by William P. Flanagan; Herbert E. Klei; Donald W. Sundstrom; Carl W. Lawton

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 696 KB
• Volume: 36
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0006-3592
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.260360608

✦ Synopsis

A previously developed immobilization technique involving latex coatings on solid particulate supports was investigated further for penicillin G production by Penicillium chrysogenum. Several modifications were found to decrease the germination lag time, including a higher spore concentration, a thinner latex layer, an increased latex porosity, and a decreased drying time. This approach enabled the development of immobilized mycelial pellets within 2-3 days from the onset of biocatalyst preparation and incubation.

A continuous immobilized-cell airlift bioreactor produced penicillin G in a series of r u n s in which the production phase lasted up to 30 days. The productivity of this system was 3-6 times greater than the productivity of the corresponding free-cell shake flask fermentation.