ENHANCED PENICILLIN PRODUCTION BY OLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM BATCH CULTURES OF PENICILLIUM-CHRYSOGENUM IN STIRRED-TANK REACTORS

Alginate and galactomannan-derived oligosaccharides enhanced the produ ction of penicillin G when added to stirred tank reactor cultures of P enicillium chrysogenum. The addition of oligomannuronate and oligogulu ronate blocks increased penicillin G yield by 47% and 49%, respectivel y. The effect of mannan oligosaccharides was found to be more pronounc ed with 69% higher yield than the control cultures. The maximum increa se in the average specific productivity of the oligosaccharide augment ed cultures was 55% after addition of mannan oligosaccharides. In addi tion, a difference was observed in all cases in the accumulation patte rn of the intermediate of penicillin biosynthesis, delta-(L-alpha-amin oadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbi ological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.