Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/bit.20628
Title (Primary) Oxygen profiles and biomass distribution in biopellets of Aspergillus niger
Author Hille, A.; Neu, T.R.; Hempel, D.C.; Horn, H.
Source Titel Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Year 2005
Department FLOEK
Volume 92
Issue 5
Page From 614
Page To 623
Language englisch
Abstract Morphology of fungal pellets has a significant influence on mass transfer and turnover processes in submerged cultures. There are many reports in literature that biomass is not distributed homogeneously over the pellet radius, yet quantitative data is rare. This study presents a method for the quantification of fungal pellet structure (Aspergillus niger). Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is used in combination with image analysis freeware (Image J). Hyphal distribution is resolved spatially in radial direction. Quantitative morphological parameters are derived from digital images especially from the peripheral regions of the pellet that are not oxygen limited. This morphological information is combined with data of microelectrode measurements in the same pellets. Results show that the morphological parameters obtained can describe the impact of pellet structure on oxygen gradients much better than average biomass density. It is concluded that CLSM and image analysis are powerful tools not only to generate valuable data for quantitative description of pellet morphology. In addition, this data may be used in mathematical models to improve predictions of mass transfer and substrate conversion in mycelial aggregates
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3448
Hille, A., Neu, T.R., Hempel, D.C., Horn, H. (2005):
Oxygen profiles and biomass distribution in biopellets of Aspergillus niger
Biotechnol. Bioeng. 92 (5), 614 - 623 10.1002/bit.20628