Studies on the Metabolism of Aspergilli

Part IX. Effect of Water Level of Culture Medium on Metabolism of Organic Acids and Distribution of Enzymes between Mycelia and Medium

Abstract

Studies were made on the effect of water level of culture medium on the metabolism of organic acids and the distribution of pro-tease and α-amylase between the mycelia and culture medium.
1. Grown on the low water medium, the mold consumed much more organic acids especially citric acid in the medium. The composition of organic acids in the mycelia was also affected by the water level of the medium.
2. It was observed that much more protease and α-amylase were found in the medium than in the mycelia when the mold grew on the low water medium. It was shown that the mycelia grown on the low water medium were apt to release much more protease into the culture medium.