초록
The production of chitosan from the mycelia of Absidia coerulea was studied to improve cell growth and chitosan productivity. Culture conditions were optimized in batch cultivation (pH 4.5, agitator speed of 250 rpm, and aeration rate of 2 vvm) and the maximum chitosan concentration achieved was 2.3g/L under optimized conditions. Continuous culture was carried out successfully by the formation of new growth spots under optimized conditions, with a chitosan productivity of 0.052g/L(sup)-1 h(sup)-1, which is the highest value to date, and was obtained at a dulution rate of 0.05h(sup)-1. Cell chitosan concentrations reached about 14% in the steady state, which is similar to that achieved in batch culture. This study shows that for the continuous culture of Absidia coerulea it is vital to control the medium composition.