Optimization of submerged culture process for the production of mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharides by Cordyceps militaris C738

AIMS: The objective of the present study was to determine the optimal culture conditions for mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharide (EPS) by Cordyceps militaris C738 in submerged culture. METHODS AND RESULTS: The optimal temperatures for mycelial biomass and EPS production were 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively, and corresponding optimal initial pHs were found to be 9 and 6, respectively. The suggested medium composition for EPS production was as follows: 6% (w/v) sucrose, 1% (w/v) polypeptone, and 0.05% (w/v) K2HPO4. The influence of pH on the fermentation broth rheology, morphology and EPS production of C. militaris C738 was carried out in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. The morphological properties were comparatively characterized by pellet roughness and compactness by use of image analyser between the culture conditions with and without pH control. The roughness and compactness of the pellets indicated higher values at pH-stat culture (pH 6.0), suggesting that larger and more compact pellets were desirable for polysaccharide production (0.91 g g(-1) cell d(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Under the optimized culture conditions (with pH control at 6), the maximum concentration of biomass and EPS were 12.7 g l(-1) and 7.3 g l(-1), respectively, in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The critical effect of pH on fungal morphology and rheology presented in this study can be widely applied to other mushroom fermentation processes.