Abstract
It was discovered that ammonium phosphate in the medium played an important role in both growing mycelium and producing exopolysaccharides (EPS) from G. lucidum. In lower concentration levels of ammonium phosphate (0-3 g/l), an improved mycelial growth was observed by maintaining more filamentous morphology than in high concentrations (5-11 g/l). In addition, it was confirmed by comparing the factual dimension and frequency of the area regarding the mycelial pellets. This must be attributed to limitations of nutrient transfer by maintaining filamentous mycelium during the cultivation in a low ammonium phosphate containing medium. On the other hand, the best EPS production was observed in medium with the absence or low concentration of ammonium phosphate. The shear stress of the culture broth was greatly affected by the shear rate, as compared with that of the culture broth with high ammonium phosphate concentration. The rheological characteristics of the fermentation broth and filtrate worked well according to the Herschel-Bulkley model. It was also found that the morphological changes of the mycelium resulting from the ammonium phosphate concentration directly affected the rheological characteristics of the system and resulted in reversely affecting the EPS production levels. Based on these results, it can be concluded that delicate regulation of the ammonium phosphate concentration in the culture media should be provided in order to obtain optimal mycelial growth and/or EPS production.