Growth characteristics of Pleurotus ostreatus in bioreactors

Pleurotus ostreatus was cultured in a bioreactor equipped with different im peller geometries under non-limiting nutrient conditions. With a Rushton tu rbine impeller the specific growth rate decreased 30% and pellet diameter w as reduced 15% when the aeration rate was increased from 1 to 1.5 vvm. Agit ation rate reduced the pellet diameter from 5.1 mm to 2.8 mm using 200 rpm and 400 rpm of agitation, respectively. Specific growth rates of 0.036, 0.0 20 and 0.041 h(-1) were obtained with Roshton (disc turbine), Helical Ribbo n and InterMIG impellers, respectively. Impeller geometry is important to c ontrol the pellet size and consequently growth rate of P. ostreatus.