A Study of the Morphological Development of Some Filamentous Fungi in Tower Fermenter Culture, with Particular Reference to Aspergillus Niger

Abstract

The types of morphology which the mould Aspergillus niger can assume, both in batch and continuous culture, are described, and the mechanisms for their development proposed. Photographs are used to facilitate description of the different morphologies. The use of various members of the A. niger group are discussed and the effects of numerous physical and chemical conditions on growth are described. Laboratory scale Tower Fermenters were used for all experimental work which covered aspects of colony development from inoculation to autolysis and included the growth of giant colonies and re-growth. Rheological work involved the study of the ascent of air slugs in a long tube containing mould broth. For comparison, some fermentations involving two dimorphic fungi, Mucor circinelloides and Mortierella rammanniana are discussed.