fungal biomass vs fungal antibiotic productions

How do fungal biomass and fungal antibiotics differ

they differ in metabolic basis, growth phase, media design and harvesting time

Fungal biomass

biomass production

growth phase and harvesting time

media requirements

process characteristics

Nature of the product

cells themselves are the product therefore growth-associated and linked to primary metabolism

Growth phase and harvest timing

Biomass increases most rapidly during exponential growth. harvesting occurs at the end of exponential phase. harvesting later is inefficient as growth has ceased

Media requirements

media are designed to maximise growth rate and biomass yield and to contain abundant carbon, nitrogen and minerals. Typically crude or rich media are used. media composition supports continuous growth

Process characteristics

rapid growth and high biomass concentration. Batch fermentation is commonly used and aeration and mixing are critical

nature of the product - anti

penicillin is an secondary metabolite. it is not required for growth and is produces as a stress or survival response

Growth phase and harvesting anti

fungal growth occurs first. Penicillion production begins in stationary phase. Harvest occurs lare in stationary phase

harvesting too early gives low yield

Media requirements anti

media re designed to support initial biomass formation then limit key nutrients to trigger secondary metabolism . Charactaristics are controlled carbon and nitrogen levels, specific precursors added for antibiotic synthesis

Process charactaristics anti

production occurs after growth stops, batch or fed batch culture is preferred, productivity depends on maintaining optimal stationary phase conditions

Importance of media design

media design is central to distinguishing these two processes: biomass media aim to maximise growth, antibiotic media aim to restrict growth and trigger secondary metabolism.

thus media composition directly controls:

metabolic state, procuct formation and harvesting time