On-line and off-line monitoring of the production of cephalosporin C by Acremonium chrysogenum.

Process monitoring of cephalosporin C formation by Acremonium chrysogenum in laboratory investigations is considered. The goal of these investigations is the identification of bottlenecks in the biosynthesis and the improvement of the process performance. Based on reports of other research groups and own experience the key parameters were selected, which influence the process performance. They are: dissolved oxygen and pH values. In addition the concentrations of biomass, DNA, glucose and reducing sugars (glucose, maltose, maltotriose and oligosaccharides), methionine, other nitrogen sources (ammonium ion, other amino acids), organic acids, phosphate, sulfate, dissolved organic carbon, proteins, product and precursors in the cell free cultivation medium are monitored. In addition the intracellular concentrations of RNA, DNA, proteins, amino acids as well as the activities of the enzymes of the biosynthesis of cephalosporin C are determined. The influence of these parameters on the biosynthesis is discussed.