Effects of Tween 80 and pH on mycelial pellets and exopolysaccharide production in liquid culture of a medicinal fungus

J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Apr;39(4):623-8. doi: 10.1007/s10295-011-1066-9. Epub 2011 Dec 6.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of surfactant additives and medium pH on mycelial morphology and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production in liquid culture of a valuable medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis Cs-HK1. In the medium containing 20 g l⁻¹ glucose and 6 g l⁻¹ peptone as the sole nitrogen source, the Cs-HK1 fungal mycelia formed smooth and spherical pellets about 1.8-mm mean diameter. The mycelial pellets became less uniform at pH (4.0-5.0) lower than the optimum (pH 6.0) or turned to filamentous form at higher pH (8-9). Surfactants added to the medium inhibited pellet formation, resulting in smaller and looser pellets. Tween 80 exhibited a remarkable promoting effect on EPS production, increasing the EPS yield more than twofold at 1.5% (w/v), which was most probably attributed to the stimulation of EPS biosynthesis and release from the fungal cells by Tween 80.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cordyceps / drug effects
  • Cordyceps / metabolism*
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mycelium / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / biosynthesis
  • Polysorbates / pharmacology

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Polysaccharides
  • Polysorbates