Use of INT to determine the respiratory activity of immobilised and free Penicillium chrysogenum.

The specific oxygen uptake rates (OUR) of kappa-carrageenan-immobilised and free cell cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum were determined using an oxygen electrode in a closed chamber. This was compared with the respiratory activity determined by the extent of staining with iodo-nitrophenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT). The degree of INT staining correlated with the OUR; an increase in INT deposition corresponding to an increase in the measured OUR.

Physiological studies related to the immobilization of Penicillium chrysogenum and penicillin production.

Using the production of penicillin by Penicillium chrysogenum as a model system, certain physiological aspects of immobilized and free cell cultures were compared. Reducing the immobilized viable spore loading (from 4 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(3) spores ml-1 gel) and initial bead diameter (from 3.5-4.

The effects of spore loading on the growth of Penicillium chrysogenum immobilised in kappa-carrageenan.

Penicillium chrysogenum spores were immobilised in kappa-carrageenan. The effect of the number of viable spores immobilised per bead on the rate of germination and degree of subsequent mycelial growth was investigated. The distribution of active mycelium throughout the bead was determined.