Open AccessProduction of paramylon, a β‐1,3‐glucan, by heterotrophic cultivation of Euglena gracilis on potato liquor
Author(s) -
Šantek Bozidar,
Felski Michael,
Friehs Karl,
Lotz Martin,
Flaschel Erwin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.200900077
Subject(s) - euglena gracilis , biomass (ecology) , starch , heterotroph , glucan , food science , chemistry , euglena , biology , biochemistry , bacteria , agronomy , chloroplast , genetics , gene
Euglena gracilis is shown to be able to grow on potato liquor as the main medium component leading to an interesting biotechnological product represented by paramylon – a β‐1,3‐glucan – and, at the same time, revaluating an otherwise annoying waste stream of the potato‐starch industry. Paramylon mass fractions of about 75% are obtained for biomass concentrations of 15 g/L during simple batch cultivation under heterotrophic conditions. Supplementation of the growth medium with glucose and the vitamins B 1 and B 12 are shown to improve growth rate as well as paramylon content. E. gracilis grows best at about 27.5°C without requiring pH control.