Control of Fungal Morphology in Continuous Culture

Abstract

The aim of this project was the development of a system for the continuous production of fungal spores by the control of mycelial morphology and the optimisation of environmental factors stimulating sporulation. Spores, considered a dormant stage in the life cycle of fungi, have been shown to contain enzymes unrelated to those required for germination, but which perform a variety of commercially important metabolic activities. The production of spores in large numbers as stable enzyme packages therefore has considerable commercial potential. Sporulation of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus was induced by growth restriction using nutrient and environmental limitations. Citrate supported poor sporulation while ammonium nitrogen inhibited sporulation at all concentrations. Examination of the pH, temperature, carbon dioxide and ferrocyanide ion tolerance of both organisms indicated that no physical factor alone induced sporulation. However, a transient sporulation phase occurred in response to gradual carbohydrate and to shock nitrate limitations. To increase spore productivity, the transient sporulation phases were induced semi-continuously by cycling nutrient supplies. Continuous production was then achieved in a two-stage fermentation system. For these systems to operate successfully, continuous growth of the fungus during sporulation was essential, and there was no upper limit of growth rate which prevented sporulation. Spore production occurred at specific carbohydrate supply rates above the calculated maintenance requirements for fungal survival, but values could not be calculated for nitrogen maintenance because growth continued without an external nitrogen supply. Both organisms displayed variable and much-simplified sporulation apparatus, indicating that complex structures were not required in a submerged environment. Sporulation was controlled by a miltivariate and delicate interaction between growth rate and the nutritional and physiochemical environment. The continuous tower fermenter proved ideal for controlling fungal morphology and enabled a system for the controlled continuous induction of sporulation to be developed.

Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Marketing & Strategy
Additional Information: Copyright © Broderick, 1981. A.J. Broderick asserts their moral right to be identified as the author of this thesis. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the thesis and no information derived from it may be published without appropriate permission or acknowledgement. If you have discovered material in Aston Publications Explorer which is unlawful e.g. breaches copyright, (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please read our Takedown Policy and contact the service immediately.
Institution: Aston University
Uncontrolled Keywords: Control,fungal morphology,continuous culture
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2024 12:39
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2011 14:14
Completed Date: 1981
Authors: Broderick, Andrew J.

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