Study on the production of 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone using two methods of fermentation.

The lactone 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone has a characteristic coconut aroma and is produced by Trichoderma species. A study on the fermentative production of 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone in both surface and submerged conditions by Trichoderma harzianum was carried out. Maximum concentrations of 455 mg/l and 167 mg/l after 96 h and 48 h of fermentation in surface and submerged conditions, respectively, were obtained without using any additional recovery operations. The resultant yields are higher than those previously reported in the literature, which may be attributable to strain characteristics in combination with the choice of fermentation conditions employed in the present study. Enough scope exists for further improvement in the yields by optimizing the cultural and nutritional parameters.