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Airlift bioreactor–based strategies for prolonged semi-continuous cultivation of edible Agaricomycetes

Summary

Scientists studied how to grow medicinal mushrooms in liquid bioreactors to produce health-beneficial compounds called glucans more efficiently. By testing different feeding rates in specially designed fermentation systems, they found that Trametes versicolor (turkey tail mushroom) grows best at a moderate feeding rate, producing substantial amounts of glucans—compounds known to support immune function and reduce blood sugar levels. This research shows that growing medicinal mushrooms in controlled bioreactors could be much more efficient and faster than traditional farming methods.

Background

Submerged cultivation of edible filamentous fungi in bioreactors enables maximum nutrient mass transfer and has the potential to increase volumetric productivity of fungal biomass compared to solid state cultivation. These aspects are important for increasing bioactive compounds like glucans in convenient timeframes. The control of mycelial morphology through bioreactor design and fermentation strategy is paramount for sustainable fungal biomass production.

Objective

To evaluate airlift bioreactor-based semi-continuous cultivation strategies for edible Agaricomycetes, identifying optimal dilution rates that maximize fungal biomass production, glucan content, and volumetric productivity while prolonging fermentation duration. The study aimed to determine the best bioprocess parameters for scaling up submerged fungal cultivation.

Results

T. versicolor outperformed four other Agaricomycetes strains and achieved maximum volumetric productivity of 0.87 g/L/h at D of 0.1 h⁻¹ but with lower total biomass (8.7 g/L CDW). At D of 0.04 h⁻¹, 12.3 g/L CDW was achieved with 0.48 g/L/h volumetric productivity and sustained residence time of 184 hours. The highest glucan content (27.8% of CDW) was obtained at D of 0.07 h⁻¹, while lowest glucan was at D of 0.02 h⁻¹.

Conclusion

T. versicolor in semi-continuous airlift bioreactor cultivation at a dilution rate of 0.04 h⁻¹ provides optimal balance between biomass production (12.3 g/L), glucan accumulation (2.21 g/L total glucans), volumetric productivity (0.48 g/L/h biomass), and sustained fermentation duration (180 hours). This strategy demonstrates enhanced potential for scaling up submerged fungal cultivation for bioactive compound production compared to solid state methods.
  • Published in:Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 38888638, DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13220-4
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