Itaconic acid production by immobilized Aspergillus terreus with varied metal additions

The effect of trace and alkaline metals on itaconic acid production by polyurethane-foam-immobilized Aspergillus terreus was examined in repeated shake-flask cultures according to a statistical experimental design. An increase in the glucose or copper concentration increased the need for earth alkaline metals. The experimentally obtained highest itaconic acid concentration of 51 g/l from 15% glucose with a total productivity of 3.67 g/l per day was reached during the first 14-day batch fermentation. In the fourth batch the calculated highest itaconic acid concentration of 19 g/l was reached with 25% glucose, 5 g/l of magnesium sulphate, 13 mg/l of copper sulphate and 10 g/l of calcium chloride. The immobilization of the mycelium increased the itaconic acid concentration obtained by as much as eightfold.