Polygalacturonase Production by Aspergillus sp. in Air-Lift and Agitated Fermentor

Abstract

Polygalacturonase production under different shear stress environments by Aspergillus sp. was studied. It was found that the rate of enzyme production in the stirred tank fermentor decreased with increasing the stirrer speed in the range 300-750 rpm. On the other hand, in a split cylinder air-lift fermentor, the rate of polygalacturonase production slightly increased with increasing in air rate from 1.5 to 2 v.v.m (volume air/culture volume/minute). The maximum enzyme titres at the end of the cultivation period in the airlift fermentor were 35 unit/ml and at least twice of that obtained in agitated fermentors. Measurement of main hyphal length in agitated and air-lift fermentors suggested break up of the mycelia in the higher shear environment of stirred fermentor especially at the higher agitation rates. The similarity in the trend of the enzyme production and main hyphal length suggested a possible relationship between the morphology and productivity of the Aspergillus sp. used in the present study.