Trichoderma Mutant Beta-Adaptin Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filamentous fungi of the genus Trichoderma face challenges in maintaining oxygen saturation in culture solutions due to increasing viscosity, which requires excessive stirring or oxygen feed rates, leading to energy inefficiency and potential shear damage to the fungus.
Innovation Solution
A mutant strain of Trichoderma with a mutation in the beta-adaptin large subunit, specifically changing the glutamine residue at the 300th position to lysine, reduces culture solution viscosity and maintains higher oxygen saturation, thereby reducing the need for excessive stirring and oxygen supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of stirring is increased to maintain oxygen saturation, then the degree of saturation of oxygen dissolved in the culture solution is maintained, but the fungus bodies suffer considerable shear damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the culture medium by adding surfactants (Tween 80, Triton X-100, or Brij 35) at specific concentrations (0.01-1% v/v). This parameter change reduces surface tension and prevents foam formation, thereby reducing the need for intensive stirring while maintaining oxygen transfer efficiency, thus protecting fungus bodies from shear damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between oxygen transfer and foam formation. These surfactants act as intermediaries that enhance oxygen solubility and transfer while suppressing foam, allowing adequate oxygen saturation without excessive stirring that would cause shear damage to the filamentous fungus
2Reliability
If the oxygen feed rate is increased to maintain oxygen saturation, then the degree of saturation of oxygen dissolved in the culture solution is maintained, but a larger amount of energy is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing surfactants that modify gas-liquid interface properties. This parameter change enhances oxygen transfer efficiency and reduces foam, allowing the system to maintain oxygen saturation with lower oxygen feed rates and reduced energy consumption for aeration and stirring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of foam formation into a beneficial outcome. By adding surfactants, the system controls foam formation to enhance oxygen transfer efficiency. The controlled foam or reduced foaming actually improves gas-liquid contact and oxygen dissolution, maintaining saturation with lower energy input
3Productivity
If the cultivation tank size is increased to meet production demands, then the production scale is increased, but the oxygen-transfer coefficient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the culture medium by adding surfactants that improve gas-liquid mass transfer. This parameter change compensates for the decreased oxygen-transfer coefficient in larger tanks, maintaining adequate oxygen supply to the culture even at increased production scales
Data Source
AI summary
A mutant of a trichoderma filamentous fungus has a mutation that results in lost or lowered function of a beta-adaptin large subunit, or a mutation in an amino acid sequence that forms the beta-adaptin large subunit. A method produces a protein while maintaining a low viscosity in a culture solution during culturing by using the mutant.