Summary
Mycelia of Claviceps purpurea CBS 164.59 were immobilized in 2%, 4%, and 8% calcium alginate. Alkaloid production by free cells declined after 60 days, while immobilized cells retained their activity for 200 days. The cumulative alkaloid production for all fermentation cycles using 8% calcium alginate immobilized mycelia was 25 times higher than that from free cells. The best yields of the ergopeptide ergometrine were reached with 4% gel immobilized mycelia, while higher gel concentrations caused a shift in the alkaloid biosynthesis towards high clavine alkaloid production.
Beginning with the third cycle of reincubation the immobilized mycelia showed a marked tendency to fragmentize into vacuolated arthrosporoid-like structures and produced violet-black pigments so that the beads recalled sclerotial structures of parasitically living Claviceps.
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K. Esser to his 60th birthday
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Kopp, B., Rehm, H.J. Semicontinuous cultivation of immobilized Claviceps purpurea . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 19, 141–145 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256444
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256444