Production of trypsin inhibitor by a Cephalosporium sp.

Conditions for the production of the trypsin inhibitor from Cephalosporium sp. KM 388 were investigated. Polypeptone-meat extract-glucose medium supported excellent production of the trypsin inhibitor. In this medium, polypeptone and meat extract were utilized both as carbon and nitrogen sources and as limiting substrates for the cell growth. Glucose was consumed during the stationary growth phase and prevented the disappearance of inhibitor activity. Cephalosporium sp. KM 388 grew at a rate of a first-order reaction for the cell concentrations. Trypsin inhibitor production paralleled cell growth. At 27 degrees C the maximum specific rates of growth and inhibitor production were 0.14 h-1 and 2.1 U of inhibitor/h per mg of cell, respectively. The production rate and the maximum yield of the inhibitor were increased 1.5- and 1.2-fold, respectively, when the initial pH 6.3 was maintained throughout the fermentation.