PRODUCTION OF GIBBERELLIC-ACID FROM MUSSEL PROCESSING WASTES IN SUBMERGED BATCH CULTURE

Mussel processing wastes (MPW), after being concentrated by ultrafiltr ation (100 KD) and partially hydrolyzed (with amylase from Aspergillus oryzae cultures on raw wastes), are transformed into a substrate suit able for diverse bioproductions, one being gibberellic acid, whose pro duction is known to be closely related to the level of N in the cultur e medium. Given the nature of the principal nutrients present in the w astes (glycogen and proteins as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectiv ely), in order to obtain a reasonable production of the hormone with m inimum previous treatment of the medium, various aspects of the relati onships between the types of nutrients and their balances, particularl y in the trophopase, were studied. In this respect, compared to glucos e the use of polysaccharides promoted a brief but intense alkalinizaio n phase and the appearance of N-limitation at a greater level of remai ning carbohydrate. On the other hand, although the type of C-source im posed differences on the requirements for N, the consumption rate of t he latter seemed to be invariant under the conditions studied, the var iable factor being the consumption rate of the C-source.