INFLUENCE OF GROWTH AND HIGH MOLD CONCENTRATION ON THE PRESSURE-DROP IN SOLID-STATE FERMENTATIONS

Aspergillus niger was grown on Amberlite IRA-900 imbibed with a soluti on containing high concentrations of sucrose (S-i = 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/litre) in static aerated fermentors, Growth was followed in dry biomass, biomass protein, CO2 production and pressure drop (DP). The D P allowed the monitoring of germination, vegetative growth, limitation and the onset of sporulation for the four concentrations of sucrose s tudied. Concentrations up to 103 mg dry biomass/g dry support were obt ained with S i = 400 g/litre and these reduced the relative intrinsic permeability to 0.0125. Under this condition the mould occupies 34% of the free space. DP increase was related to CO2 production.