Changes in the morphology and structure of cells during citric acid fermentation by Aspergillus wentii P1

The present study on the growth pattern and some aspects of cell morphology of Aspergillus wentii P1 showed that there were changes along with the pro duction of citric acid in submerged culture. It was found that after inocul ation the spores were associated in conglomerates and chains. Germination o f spores gave off thin and scarcely branched hyphae, devoid of bulbous cell s which became increasingly branched and entangled, given rise to pellets o f 1 to 3 mm in diameter. Pellets showed a central compact part and a hairy external part. Along with the accumulation of citric acid in the medium, th e hyphae forming the hairy zone of pellets showed increasing number of bulb ous cells containing high number of mitochondria. Citric acid fermentation is an aerobic process. Therefore, the lax morphology of the hairy zone of p ellets, allowing a better mass transfer. as well as the increase of the num ber of mitochondria, might be significant factors concerning the yield of t he process.