PROTEASE AND PHENOL PRODUCTION OF CYNARA-CARDUNCULUS L CELL-SUSPENSION IN A CHEMOSTAT

Proteases from Cynara cardunculus L. are used in cheese-making. The gr owth of C. cardunculus cell suspension culture and the production of p roteases and phenols were studied in sucrose-limited chemostat culture s at two dilution rates. Biomass yields and biomass and protease produ ctivities in chemostat cultures were compared with those in batch cult ures. C. cardunculus cells showed a high ability to adapt to chemostat conditions. Phenolic production was not observed in the steady-state cultures of C. cardunculus cell cultures in contrast to batch cultures . Protease production was linked to the exponential growth phase and w as higher and move stable in sucrose-limited chemostats than in batch culture. (C) 1996 by Elsevier Science Inc.