A convenient method to study fungal spores retention on a porous preformedsupport

A method was developed to determine engineering parameters of a preformed p orous cellulose carrier, commercially known as Microcube. It demonstrated a high water retention (20 g g(-1) dry support) connected to a wet support d ensity slightly higher than that of water (1.005 g ml(-1)), making this mat erial suitable for use in stirred vessels; a high porosity (96%) was also e videnced. Ungerminated spores of Aspergillus niger reversibly adsorbed on t he carrier according to a Langmuir-type isotherm, while germinating conidia irreversibly attached to particles, allowing a further pellet-like develop ment.