The Morphology of Filamentous Fungi in Submerged Cultivations as a Bioprocess Parameter

Polona Žnidaršić and Aleksander Pavko*

Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Aškerčeva 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Article history:
Received: April 6, 2001
Accepted: June 20, 2001

Key words:
filamentous fungi, morphology, pellets, bioprocess design

Summary:
Morphological characteristics of mycelial submerged cultures have been established as one of the key bioprocess parameters. The morphological type and the related physiology strongly depend on environmental conditions in the bioreactor, and in turn affect the rheological properties of the broth and thereby bioreactor performance. Accordingly, the productivity and energy consumption of the process are functions of the morphology. This review treats fungal morphology with related rheological properties and metabolic activity by emphasizing the influence of engineering variables on biomass growth. Besides, the literature concerning interrelation between the morphology and bioreactor performance including some aspects of bioprocess design is reviewed.

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