Optimization of media composition for the production of cyclosporin A by Tolypocladium species.
OBJECTIVE
Cyclosporins are produced by certain species of the filamentous fungi, belonging to the genus Tolypocladium. While there are numerous reports on the use of cyclosporins in clinical studies, reports on the various aspects of their production have been very limited. Therefore, this study was carried to optimize the medium composition for the production of cyclosporin A, produced by a strain of the filamentous fungus, Tolypocladium species by static fermentation.


METHODS
The effect of different nutrients on the production of cyclosporin A, produced by Tolypocladium species in stationary culture was studied by growing the fungus for 21 days at 25 +/- 2 degrees C under different media composition. Cyclosporin A was extracted by homogenizing the fungal cells with methanol and the cyclosporin A level was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
Among the six different media studied for the production of cyclosporin A, medium 'f' containing glucose (8%), casein acid hydrolysate (3%), malt extract (2%), peptone (1%) and DL- alpha-amino butyric acid (0.5%) favoured the maximum production (2.22 +/- 0.02 g/l medium or 5.85 +/- 0.35 g/kg biomass).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that by optimizing the composition of fermentation media enhanced production of cyclosporin A was obtained. Since the strain Tolypocladium (VCRC F21 NRRL No.18950) produces a high level of cyclosporin A in the identified fermentation medium, it could be exploited for industrial production.
Balaraman
K
K
Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indira Nagar, Pondicherry 605 006, India. rk_bala@yahoo.com
Mathew
Nisha
N
D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D009172:Mycology / Q000379:methods
D003470:Culture Media; D016572:Cyclosporine