Aureobasidium pullulans Fermentation for Beta-Glucan Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aureobasidium pullulans fermentation for β-glucan production faces challenges of low yield due to viscosity issues and the presence of melanin, which complicates the manufacturing process and product appearance.
Innovation Solution
A specific strain of Aureobasidium pullulans (NITE BP-02372) is cultured in a fermentation medium comprising a carbon source, nitrogen source, and ascorbic acid, optimized with sucrose or glucose, and lecithin, at controlled pH and conditions to enhance β-glucan yield and prevent melanin production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Aureobasidium pullulans is cultured to increase β-glucan yield, then the fermentation broth becomes viscous and gelatinous, but mass transfer and heat transfer problems occur leading to decreased yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing fermentation conditions including pH control (maintaining pH 4.0-6.0), temperature control (25-30°C), and dissolved oxygen concentration (20-40% saturation) to prevent excessive viscosity while maximizing β-glucan yield. The use of specific carbon sources (sucrose, glucose) and nitrogen sources (lecithin, yeast extract) at controlled concentrations also represents parameter optimization to balance yield and fermentability
2Quantity of substance
If Aureobasidium pullulans produces extracellular polysaccharide, then β-glucan yield increases, but melanin is also generated making the product less appealing and complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of melanin production into a beneficial outcome by selecting a specific strain of Aureobasidium pullulans that produces β-glucan without melanin contamination. This strain selection approach transforms what would normally be a harmful byproduct into a clean production process, eliminating the need for complex melanin removal steps while maintaining high β-glucan yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes through optimized culture conditions including the use of ascorbic acid (10-100 mg/L) as an antioxidant to prevent melanin formation, controlled pH (4.0-6.0) to favor β-glucan production over melanin, and specific carbon-nitrogen ratio in the medium to direct metabolic pathways toward polysaccharide synthesis rather than pigment production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method increases β-glucan yield, simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating melanin, and allows for efficient use of fermentation broth, reducing liquid waste and improving product storage and processing.
Implementation Method 1
generating β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans allows us to skip the extraction step and reduce the generation of liquid waste since β-glucan would be excreted into extracellular culture medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a culture medium for producing β-glucan. The culture medium comprises: a carbon source, lecithin and an ascorbic acid. The present application further provides a method for producing β-glucan, the method comprising culturing Aureobasidium pullulans in the culture medium for fermentation. The Aureobasidium pullulans is advantageous in producing no melanin; as a result, the yield of β-glucan can be increased and the waste can be reduced with the improved culture medium composition and culturing method.A biological sample of the Aureobasidium pullulans described in the present specification is deposited at National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), NITE Patent Microorganisms Depositary (NPMD) on Oct. 19, 2016 under the access number NITE BP-02372.