IMMOBILIZED ASPERGILLUS-TERREUS IN ITACONIC ACID PRODUCTION FROM GLUCOSE

The production of itaconic acid by immobilized Aspergillus terreus TKK 200-5-1 was studied both in shake flask cultures, and in continuous column bioreactors. The effect of glucose and ammonium nitrate concentrations, and of pH were examined using a statistical experimental plan. The highest itaconic acid product concentration could be reached at the highest investigated glucose concentration of 150 g/l and the highest initial pH of 3.75, in the absence of ammonium nitrate. In a continuous packed bed column system operated for 4.5 months itaconic acid was obtained at a productivity of 328 mg/d per gram of polyurethane foam carrier.