IMMOBILIZATION OF THE FUNGUS, TOLYPOCLADIUM SP. FOR THE PRODUCTION OFCYCLOSPORINE-A

The fungus Tolypocladium sp. obtained from the culture collection of V CRC, Pondicherry, was immobilized in calcium alginate and used for the production of Cyclosporin A in a packed bed reactor under batch and c ontinuous flow modes. The precursor amino acids, L-valine and L-leucin e increased the yield of Cyc A when added individually; however when a dded together, the increase in the yield was no better than as added i ndividually. The half-life of the biocatalyst was found to be around s ix months.