Optimazation of Submerged Culture Conditions for Exo-Biopolymer Production by Paecilomyces japonica

Optimization of submerged culture conditions for the production of exo-biopolymer from Paecilomyces japonica was studied. Maltose, yeast extract, and potassium phosphate were the most suitable sources of carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic salt, respectively, for both production of the exo-biopolymer and mycelial growth. The optimal culture conditions in a flask culture were pH 5.0, 25°C, and 150 rpm in a medium containing (as in g/l) 30 maltose, 6 yeast extract, 2 polypeptone, 0.5 K 2 HPO 4 , 0.2 KH 2 PO 4 , 0.2 MnSO 4 .5H 2 O, 0.2 MgSO 4 .7H 2 O. Exo-biopolymer production and mycelial growth in the above suggested medium were significantly increased in a 2.5-1 jar fermentor, where the maximum biopolymer concentration was 8 g/l. The morphological changes of the mycelium in the submerged culture were observed within pH ranges from 4.0 to 9.0; i.e., growth of the filamentous form was optimal at culture pHs of 5.0 and 6.0, whereas pellet was formed at other pHs.