Biomass estimation during macro-scale solid-state fermentation of basidiomycetes using established and novel...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microbial cultivation
• Bioprocess engineering

Background:

• Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a robust cultivation method for basidiomycetes, utilizing lignocellulose.
• Basidiomycetes produce valuable enzymes and metabolites with biotechnological applications.
• Accurate fungal biomass quantification is essential for characterizing growth kinetics in SSF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare 11 different methods for quantifying fungal biomass during SSF.
• To evaluate these methods based on reliability, resource needs, and influential factors.
• To identify the most suitable methods for process control and modeling of SSF.

Main Methods:

• Eleven methods were assessed, measuring cell-specific components (ergosterol, glucosamine, nucleic acids, nuclei, protein, DNA) and biological activity (respiration, enzyme activities, substrate components).
• The study utilized a laboratory-scale reactor for SSF of the basidiomycete Trametes hirsuta.
• Methods were evaluated for reproducibility, plausibility, time/resource demands, and matrix effects.

Main Results:

• Ergosterol content, number of fungal nuclei, and respiration provided the most reliable biomass estimates.
• Other methods showed variability or were influenced by matrix effects.
• The study identified key factors influencing method performance in SSF.

Conclusions:

• Ergosterol content, nuclei count, and respiration are recommended for accurate fungal biomass quantification in SSF.
• These methods are suitable for process control and kinetic modeling in SSF.
• The findings aid in optimizing SSF processes for biotechnological applications.