Optimal Conditions for Hepatitis B Cove Antigen Production in Shaked Flask Fermentation

The effects of various environmental factors such as pH (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9), temperature (30, 37 and $40^{\circ}C$) and rotational speed (150, 200 and 250 rpm) on the growth and the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) production of Escherichia coli W3110IQ were examined in the present Study. The highest growth rate is achieved at pH 7, $37^{\circ}C$ and at a rotational Speed of 250 rpm which is 0.927 $h^{-1}$. The effect of pH on cell growth is more substantial compared to other parameters; it recorded a $123\%$ different between the highest growth rate (0.927 $h^{-1}$) at pH 7 and lowest growth at pH 5. The highest protein yield is achieved at pH 9, rotational speed of 250 rpm and $40^{\circ}C$. The yield of protein at pH 7 is $154\%$ higher compared to the lowest yield achieved at pH 5. There is about $28\%$ different of the protein yield for the E. coli cultivated at 250 rpm compared to that at 150 rpm which has the lowest HBcAg yield. The yield of protein at $40^{\circ}C$ is $38\%$ higher compared to the lowest yield achieved at $30^{\circ}C$.