Effect of volcanic ash on cell growth and production of exopolymers

Effect of volcanic ash on cell growth of Aspergillus sp. and production of exopolymers by Agrobacterium sp. and Aureobasidium pullualns was investigated. The volcanic ash contained various mineral salts such as $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, CaO, $K_2O$. Maximal cell growth of Aspergillus sp. was obtained when 0.3% volcanic ash was added to medium. Cell growth of Aspergillus sp. increased with higher concentration of volcanic ash in medium. Amount of cell growth with 0.3 % volcanic ash was 6.7 times higher than that without volcanic ash. Volcanic ash also stimulated production of exopolymer as well as cell growth. Production of curdlan with 0.1% volcanic ash was 12.40 g/l whereas that without volcanic ash was 9.15 g/l. Production of pullulan with volcanic ash was also higher than that without volcanic ash.