Production of l-lactic acid byRhizopus oryzae in a bubble column fermenter

Two distinctive forms of growth (mycelial filamentous and mycelial pellets) ofRhizopus oryzae were obtained by manipulating the initial pH of the medium with the controlled addition of CaCO₃ in a bubble fermenter. In the presence of CaCO₃, diffused filamentous growth was obtained when the initial pH of the substrate was 5.5. In the absence of CaCO3, mycelial pellet growth was obtained when the initial pH was 2.0. The fermentation study indicated that the mycelial growth has a shorter lag period before the onset of acid formation. Both physical forms of growth ofRhizopus exhibited a high yield of L-lactic acid in the bubble fermenter when the initial glucose concentration exceeded 70 g/L. A final lactic acid concentration of 62 g/L was produced by the filamentous form ofRhizopus from 78 g/L glucose after 27 h. This showed a weight yield of 80% of glucose consumed, with an average specific productivity of 1.46 g/h/g. Similarly, the pellet form ofRhizopus produced a final lactic acid concentration of 66 g/L from 76 g/L glucose after 43 h, with a weight yield of 86% and an average specific productivity of 1.53 g/h/g.