Growth estimation of solid-state koji by covering a cellophane membrane on the mash

In a solid-substrate fermentation system, fungal growth within a solid mash is an important index for the efficiency of the saccharification and production of metabolites. Estimation of fungal mass in such a heterogeneous solid-substrate systems is difficult and tedious. In this work, the comparison of Aspergillus oryzae which is a common strain for the wine-brewing process cultured on a cellophane membrane placed on a koji juice agar medium and a small scale of steamed rice koji culture was conduted. Experimental results showed that the cellophane membrane technique resembled the steamed rice koji culture and is considered as a convenient and effective way for investigating the growth characteristics and cytology for solid-substrate koji system.