Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) control strategy for improving avermectin B_1a production during fed-batch fermentation on industrial scale (150 m³)

Abstract

Glucose metabolism plays a crucial role in the process of avermectin B_1a biosynthesis. Controlling glucose feeding based on oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was established to improve the efficiency of avermectin B_1a  production. The result showed that avermectin B1a production was greatly enhanced by OUR control strategy. In the glucose feeding phase, OUR was maintained at approximate 12 mmol/L/h, which was conducive to avermectin B_1a biosynthesis. Using this OUR control strategy, an adequate supply of organic acid precursors produced avermectin B_1a 5228 U/mL, which was 22.8% higher than that of the control (batch fermentation, 4256 U/mL) on industrial scale.

Key words: Avermectin B_1a, glucose feeding, oxygen uptake rate, industrial scale.