CONTINUOUS SYNTHESIS OF GLUCOAMYLASE BY IMMOBILIZED FUNGAL MYCELIUM OF ASPERGILLUS-NIGER

The extracellular glucoamylase enzyme (EC 3.2.1.3) was synthesized continuously by the immobilized mycelial fragments of A. niger. Of the several polymeric matrices attempted for immobilization k-carrageenan and alginate were found to be the most effective. However, the enzyme activity exhibited by the immobilized mycelia (I.M.) was 15-20% lower than that of free cells under batch conditions. The immobilized cells have retained nearly the same enzymatic activity (120IU/g of I.M.) for 6 repeated batches and thereafter decline in activity was noticed. An aerated packed bed reactor with I.M. was operated continuously for 360 h. The volumetric productivity of the reactor was 1600IU/L/h for 192 h and reduced to 25% in 360 h.