Oxygen transfer into mycelial pellets

Abstract

Abstract The oxygen uptake rate in mycelial pellets of Aspergillus niger was studied experimentally and theoretically. The specific rate of respiration of mycelial pellets was found to decrease significantly with increasing pellet size. The distribution of respiratory activity in the mycelial pellets was evaluated and the specific rate of respiration of disrupted mycelia showed adaptation to the concentration of oxygen in the medium. The decrease of the specific rate of respiration of the mycelial pellets could be estimated according to diameter, mycelial density, oxygen diffusivity, and adaptation to the concentration of oxygen. Good agreement was found between the theoretical analysis and the experimental data.