Question

Describe the role of the fungus Penicillium in the production of the antibiotic penicillin Explain how fermenters are used in the production of penicillin

Answer 1

Explanation:

Penicillin is produced by the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum which requires lactose, other minerals, and a source of nitrogen (in this case a yeast extract) in the medium to grow well.

So, the main fermentable source in the culture to produce penicillin is lactose.

Other minerals include amino acids and mineral salts.

The pH of the culture is maintained at 5 and 6 and temperature is maintained at 26°C

Answer 2

Answer:

Penicillium mold naturally produces the antibiotic penicillin. 2. Scientists learned to grow Penicillium mold in deep fermentation tanks by adding a kind of sugar and other ingredients. This process increased the growth of Penicillium.

Fermentation is the technique used for the commercial production of penicillin. It is a fed-batch process that is carried out aseptically in stainless steel tank reactors with a capacity of 30 to 100 thousand gallons. ... Penicillin is excreted into the medium and recovered at the end of fermentation