Production of indole diterpenes by Aspergillus alliaceus

Abstract

Production of two related indole diterpenes (differing by a dimethyl leucine side chain) by Aspergillus alliaceus was improved through several pilot scale fermentations. Media were optimized through focus primarily on initial increases, as well as mid-cycle additions, of carbon and nitrogen sources. Fermentation conditions were improved by varying ventilation conditions using various combinations of air flowrate and back-pressure set points. Production improvements were quantified based on total indole diterpene concentration as well as the ratio of the major-to-minor by-product components. Those changes with a positive substantial impact primarily on total indole diterpene concentration included early cycle glycerol shots and enhanced ventilation conditions (high air flowrate, low back-pressure). Those changes with a significant impact primarily on ratio included higher initial cerelose, soybean oil, monosodium glutamate, tryptophan, or ammonium sulfate concentrations, higher broth pH, and enhanced ventilation conditions. A few changes (higher initial glycerol and monosodium glutamate concentrations) resulted in less notable and desirable titer or ratio changes when implemented individually, but they were adopted to more fully realize the impact of other improvements or to simplify processing. Overall, total indole diterpene titers were improved at the 600 L pilot scale from 125-175 mg/L with a ratio of about 2.1 to 200-260 mg/L with a ratio of about 3.3-4.5. Thus, the ability to optimize total indole diterpene titer and/or ratio readily exists for secondary metabolite production using Aspergillus cultures.