Transcriptomic insights into the physiology of Aspergillus niger approaching a specific growth rate of zero.

ABSTRACT: The physiology of filamentous fungi at growth rates approaching zero has been subject to limited study and exploitation. With the aim of uncoupling product formation from growth, we have revisited and improved the retentostat cultivation method for Aspergillus niger. A new retention device was designed allowing reliable and nearly complete cell retention even at high flow rates. Transcriptomic analysis was used to explore the potential for product formation at very low specific growth rates. The carbon- and energy-limited retentostat cultures were highly reproducible. While the specific growth rate approached zero (<0.005 h(-1)), the growth yield stabilized at a minimum (0.20 g of dry weight per g of maltose). The severe limitation led to asexual differentiation, and the supplied substrate

SUBMITTER: Jorgensen TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2918955 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature