High-cell-density fermentation for ergosterol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The direct feedback control of glucose using an on-line ethanol concentration monitor for ergosterol production by high-cell-density fermentation was investigated and the fermentation parameters (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, ethanol concentration, oxygen uptake rate, carbon dioxide evolution rate and respiratory quotient) were analyzed. Controlling glucose feeding rate in accordance with ethanol concentration and adjusting pH with ammonia during the fermentation process were effective fed-batch methods for ergosterol production. The fermentation parameters well described the variation of the whole fermentation process. Cultivation in a 5 l fermentor was carried out under the following conditions: culture temperature, 30 degrees C; pH, 5.5; agitation speed, 600 rpm; fermentation time, 60 h; controlling ethanol concentration below 1% and keeping respiratory quotient (RQ) at approximately 1.0. Under these conditions, the yeast dry weight reached 120 g/l and the ergosterol yield reached 1500 mg/l.