Optimization of physico-chemical and nutritional parameters for a novel pullulan-producing fungus, Eurotium chevalieri.
OBJECTIVE
To isolate the novel nonmelanin pullulan-producing fungi from soil and to optimize the physico-chemical and nutritional parameters for pullulan production.


RESULTS
A selective enrichment method was followed for the isolation, along with development of a suitable medium for pullulan production, using shake flask experiments. Pullulan content was confirmed using pure pullulan and pullulanase hydrolysate. Eurotium chevalieri was able to produce maximum pullulan (38 ± 1·0 g l(-1) ) at 35°C, pH 5·5, 2·5% sucrose, 0·3% ammonium sulfate and 0·2% yeast extract in a shake flash culture medium with an agitation rate of 30 rev min(-1) for 65 h.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel pullulan-producing fungus was identified as E. chevalieri (MTCC no. 9614), which was able to produce nonmelanin pullulan at from poorer carbon and nitrogen sources than Aureobasidium pullulans and may therefore be useful for the commercial production of pullulan.


CONCLUSIONS
Eurotium chevalieri could produce pullulan in similar amounts to A. pullulans. Therefore, in future, this fungus could also be used for commercial pullulan production, because it is neither polymorphic nor melanin producing, hence its handling during pullulan fermentation will be easier and more economical.
Gaur
R
R
Department of Microbiology, Dr R. M. L. Avadh University, Faizabad (UP), India. rajeevagaur@rediffmail.com
Singh
R
R
Tiwari
S
S
Yadav
S K
SK
Daramwal
N S
NS
D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D055325:Eurotium / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D005936:Glucans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature
D003470:Culture Media; D005936:Glucans; D002244:Carbon; C009109:pullulan; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; C100181:pullulanase; D009584:Nitrogen