Abstract
Oxalic acid is the predominant by-product formed in the scleroglucan production process with Sclerotium rolfsii, representing an additional cost factor for the subsequent downstream processing. In this study, the formation of oxalic acid was substantially reduced using a low initial pH and oxygen limitation during batch cultivation. At an initial pH of 2.0 only traces of oxalic acid were determined in the culture medium (end concentration <0.5 g l−1) while the scleroglucan production remained unaffected. In addition, it was observed that oxalic acid formation ceased under oxygen limitation. This is due to a not yet described oxalic acid synthetic enzyme named glycolate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.15) which was identified in cell-free extracts of Sclerotium rolfsii and further characterized. The influence of the dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) on oxalic acid synthesis by the fungus was studied in continuous culture. The steady-state oxalic acid concentration in the culture medium increased with a rise in DOT.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
