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Updated: May 20, 2026
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Light-Controlled Fermentations for Microbial Chemical and Protein Production
Published on: March 22, 2022
Microbial production of itaconic acid: developing a stable platform for high product concentrations
Anja Kuenz1, Yvonne Gallenmüller, Thomas Willke
1vTI-Institute of Agricultural Technology and Biosystems Engineering, Bundesallee 50, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany. anja.kuenz@vti.bund.de
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|July 4, 2012
Summary
This study optimized the biotechnological production of itaconic acid (IA) using Aspergillus terreus, achieving high concentrations and yields. The developed process is reproducible and effective across different strains, enabling broader applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Itaconic acid (IA) is a versatile bio-based chemical with significant potential in polymer chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
- Efficient and scalable production methods are crucial for expanding IA's applications.
- Aspergillus terreus is a key microorganism for biotechnological IA production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically optimize the fermentation process for itaconic acid production.
- To scale up the optimized process from laboratory to industrial scale.
- To evaluate the reproducibility and strain independence of the developed process.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of a high-performing Aspergillus terreus strain.
- Process optimization including media composition and fermentation parameters.
- Scale-up from 250-mL to 15-L bioreactor systems.
Main Results:
- Achieved a final itaconic acid concentration of 86.2 g/L within 7 days.
- Reached an overall productivity of 0.51 g/(L·h) and a maximum productivity of 1.2 g/(L·h).
- Obtained a high molar yield of 86% and demonstrated strain-independent, reproducible results.
Conclusions:
- The developed fermentation process enables highly efficient and reproducible itaconic acid production.
- The process is scalable and effective across different Aspergillus terreus strains.
- This optimized method facilitates the broader industrial application of biotechnologically produced itaconic acid.
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