Dissolved-oxygen-stat controlling two variables for methanol induction of rGuamerin in Pichia pastoris and its application to repeated fed-batch

Abstract

A DO-stat control strategy for two variables was introduced to the rGuamerin production process in Pichia pastoris and applied to repeated fed-batch culture. Two interrelated variables, namely the ratio of partial pressure of pure O₂ in the inlet air-stream and the methanol feed rate, were controlled simultaneously. By using this control strategy, methanol feeding for induction could be controlled automatically while efficiently controlling the dissolved oxygen level. As a result, the cell concentration reached more than 140 g l⁻¹ and rGuamerin expression level 450 iu l⁻¹. rGuamerin was secreted into the culture medium and reached a level that was 40% higher than achieved in a fed-batch process using manual control of the methanol feeding rate. Repeated rGuamerin induction was achieved by repeating the methanol feeding and withdrawing the culture broth during extended production. During more than 250 h of culture, expression of rGuamerin was maintained at an average of about 430 iu l⁻¹ (473 mg l⁻¹), without causing the cell density to decrease. In addition to the rGuamerin production process, the proposed control system might be applied to cultivation of other methylotrophic yeasts in the production of therapeutic proteins.