Microparticle-enhanced cultivation

The project's intention is to increase the productivity of filamentous microorganisms by influencing their morphology.

Higher fungi are already important biotechnological producers of bulk and fine chemicals, enzymes and pharmaceuticals. The use of so far undiscovered metabolites as new substances and pharmaceutical ingredients in the future would confirm this status additionally.

Most filamentous fungi tend to build agglomerates and complex structures of mycelia in submerged cultures which complicates their industrial application.

Former projects have shown that the addition of microparticles to the medium reduces or prevents the building of agglomerates. Increased homogeneity and finer distribution of the biomass lead to a better oxygen and nutrient supply and, in many cases, to higher product yields. The pellet size can be controlled by the specific addition of microparticles.

In this project the utilization of particles should be investigated with regard to the adaptability for industrial sectors and economically interesting products. Improvement in efficiency of productions in bioreactors as well as downscaling to the point of microtiter plates, suitable for screening experiments, is in progress.