An efficient multi-stage fermentation strategy for the production of microbial oil rich in arachidonic acid inMortierella alpina.
BACKGROUND
Fungal morphology and aeration play a significant role in the growth process ofMortierella alpina. The production of microbial oil rich in arachidonic acid (ARA) inM. alpinawas enhanced by using a multi-stage fermentation strategy which combined fed-batch culture with precise control of aeration and agitation rates at proper times.


RESULTS
The fermentation period was divided into four stages according to the cultivation characteristics ofM. alpina. The dissolved oxygen concentration was well suited for ARA biosynthesis. Moreover, the ultimate dry cell weight (DCW), lipid, and ARA yields obtained using this strategy reached 41.4, 22.2, 13.5 g/L, respectively. The respective values represent 14.8, 25.8, and 7.8% improvements over traditional fed-batch fermentation processes.


CONCLUSIONS
This strategy provides promising control insights for the mass production of ARA-rich oil on an industrial scale. Pellet-like fungal morphology was transformed into rice-shaped particles which were beneficial for oxygen transfer and thus highly suitable for biomass accumulation.
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.
Wen-Jia
WJ
Wu
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.
Ai-Hui
AH
Zhang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Nutrition Health and Food Safety, COFCO Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Beijing, 102209 People's Republic of China.
Chao
C
Peng
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.|Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009 People's Republic of China.
Lu-Jing
LJ
Ren
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.
Ping
P
Song
Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009 People's Republic of China.
Ya-Dong
YD
Yu
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.|State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009 People's Republic of China.|Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009 People's Republic of China.
He
H
Huang
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 People's Republic of China.|Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009 People's Republic of China.
Xiao-Jun
0000-0002-6450-0229
XJ
Ji
Aeration; Agitation; Arachidonic acid; Morphology; Mortierella alpina; Multi-stage fermentation