SYNTHESIS OF ACID PROTEASE FROM MUCOR-MIEHEI - INTEGRATION OF PRODUCTION AND RECOVERY

The production of acid protease from Mucor Miehei was repressed by amino acid additions (3.5-5.0 g/litre) from hydrolysed casein. The integration of the batch bioprocess with an ultrafiltration unit proved effective in depressing enzyme production. A hollow fibre ultrafilter with a 5000 MW cutoff was used to reduce the concentration of amino acids present in the medium after enzyme concentration began to decline. Volume concentrating ratio (VCR) values of 2 and 3 were used for the experiments. Increases as high as 25% in enzyme concentration were achieved.