bioprocess optimization

Understanding and controlling filamentous growth of fungal cell factories: novel tools and opportunities for targeted morphology engineering

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Fungi are used in industry to produce medicines, chemicals, and enzymes in large fermentation tanks. However, the way these fungal cells grow and clump together greatly affects how much product they make, but scientists don’t yet fully understand or control this growth. This review discusses new tools like genetic engineering, computer modelling, and special imaging techniques that are helping researchers better understand and control fungal growth patterns to improve industrial production.

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

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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.

Acid Phosphatase Produced by Trichoderma harzianum in Solid Fermentation Using Millet

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Researchers used a fungus called Trichoderma harzianum grown on millet grain to produce phosphatase enzymes, which help convert unavailable phosphorus in soil into forms that plants can use. By carefully controlling the amount of millet, moisture, and fungal starter culture, they achieved significantly higher enzyme production than previous methods. This inexpensive, sustainable approach could improve soil fertility and plant growth in agriculture.

Influence of Culture Conditions on Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Review

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Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used in traditional medicine for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and fighting cancer. This review explains how growing conditions—such as the type of grain or insect substrate used, light exposure, temperature, and nutrient balance—dramatically affect the production of beneficial compounds like cordycepin. The research shows that mixing grains with insect-based materials and using specific light wavelengths can significantly increase the potency of these medicinal fungi, making them more effective for health applications.

Engineering Strategies for Fungal Cell Disruption in Biotechnological Applications

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Fungi produce valuable products inside their cells like medicines, oils, and natural colors. However, fungal cell walls are very tough and hard to break open compared to bacteria or algae. Scientists have developed various methods to break open fungal cells, ranging from physical approaches like grinding with beads or using sound waves, to gentler chemical and enzymatic methods. The best method depends on the type of fungus, what product you want to extract, and how much you need to make.

Edible mycelium as proliferation and differentiation support for anchorage-dependent animal cells in cultivated meat production

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Scientists developed a new technology using edible mushroom mycelium (the root-like structure of fungi) as a scaffold to grow animal muscle cells for cultivated meat production. They tested different fungal species and found that mycelium from koji mold (Aspergillus oryzae) worked best for supporting cell growth and maturation. Unlike current plastic microcarriers that must be removed from the final product, these edible carriers can be incorporated directly into the meat, adding nutritional value and reducing waste.

Submerged Fermentation of Rhizopus sp. for l-asparaginase Production in Lymphoma Therapy

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Researchers developed a new way to produce an anti-cancer enzyme called L-asparaginase using a fungus called Rhizopus, which could offer a safer alternative to current bacterial sources. They designed and tested a special bioreactor system that allows the fungus to grow as a biofilm, significantly increasing enzyme production. The system achieved enzyme activity levels much higher than previous laboratory methods, suggesting it could be scaled up for industrial pharmaceutical production.

Establishing microbial communities to promote the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus through a top-down approach is hindered by the dominance of antagonistic interactions

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Researchers studied how to improve oyster mushroom growth by adding helpful bacteria to the growing substrate. They found that most bacteria actually compete with the mushrooms and slow their growth, making it difficult to create beneficial microbial communities using standard enrichment methods. Only one type of bacterium (Brevundimonas) showed neutral interaction with the mushrooms, while several others actively inhibited growth. The study suggests that future approaches should integrate the mushroom into the enrichment process from the beginning rather than trying to add pre-selected microbial communities afterward.

Research Keyword: bioprocess optimization