OXYGEN CONTROLLED BATCH CULTIVATIONS OF SCHIZOPHYLLUM-COMMUNE FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF BRANCHED BETA-1,3-GLUCANS

Oxygen and shear stress are the key factors for enhanced glucan produc tion with Schizophyllum commune. During batch cultivation control of P (O2) or q(O2) (specific oxygen uptake rate) was achieved by variation of the impeller speed. Biomass was modelled by using the carbon and ox ygen balance derived from exhaust data. At mycel growth a q(O2), of 0. 042 h-1 presents just the border before oxygen limitation arises and i s simultaneously the optimum operation condition for maximum glucan fo rmation. Related to an overall cultivation time of 72 h a maximum of b oth productivity (4.3 kg m-3 d-1) and yield (13 kg m-3) were obtained.