Effect of surfactants on the production of ergot-alkaloids by immobilized mycelia of Claviceps paspali

In a semicontinuous process immobilized Claviceps paspali mycelia produced alkaloids over a period of 60 days (six reincubations). By addition of the surfactant Pluronik, a polyethoxypolypropoxy polymer, a considerable increase in alkaloid biosynthesis occurred. The maximum product concentration achieved was 8.35gl^sup -1^, and the overall productivity was 5.80 mgl^sup -1^ h^sup -1^, which is half the productivity of the batch process. Maximum process productivity for a single reincubation (12.3 mg l^sup -1^ h^sup -1^) was almost equal to the batch process productivity.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]