Slurry Bioreactor Design for Shear-Sensitive Mycoprotein Production

Abstract

The effects of impeller associated agitation on fermentations of shear-sensitive mycelial microfungus Neurospora sitophila are demonstrated.The impact of agitator type and the agitation rate on biomass protein production and cellulose utilization are shown in a relatively large 75 l fermenter. Results from cellulosic solid-substrate fermentations are presented. These fermentations tend to be unusual in that the broths contain solid-substrate particulates in addition to fungal mycelia and this leads to more complex rheological (and hence shear related) behaviour than in typical fungal cultures.