Limitations of membrane cultures as a model solid-state fermentation system.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the reliability of membrane cultures as a model solid-state fermentation (SSF) system.


RESULTS
In overcultures of Aspergillus oryzae on sterilized wheat flour discs overlaid with a polycarbonate membrane, we demonstrated that the presence of membrane filters reduced the maximum respiration rate (up to 50%), and biomass and alpha-amylase production. We also show that the advantage of membrane cultures, i.e. total recovery of biomass, is not very evident for the system used, while the changes in metabolism and kinetics are serious drawbacks.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of membrane cultures is artificial and without substantial benefits and therefore has to be carefully considered.


CONCLUSIONS
In future studies on kinetics and stoichiometry of SSF, one should not completely rely on experiments using membrane cultures as a model SSF system.
Rahardjo
Y S P
YS
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Wageningen, the Netherlands. yovita.rahardjo@wur.nl
Korona
D
D
Haemers
S
S
Weber
F J
FJ
Tramper
J
J
Rinzema
A
A
D001236:Aspergillus oryzae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D005285:Fermentation; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D007700:Kinetics; D008851:Micropore Filters; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011108:Polymers; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis
D011108:Polymers; C017902:lexan; D000516:alpha-Amylases