Invertase production by Penicillium chrysogenum and other fungi in submerged fermentation.

A study was made of Penicillium chrysogenum and some other fungi to determine the relative distribution of intra- and extracellular invertase produced by them in submerged fermentation. The proportion of each type of enzyme varied with the organism and the period of fermentation. More of the enzyme initially bound to the mycelium was released into the medium with the progress of fermentation. Differences were observed in the effects of cultural conditions on enzyme production in P. chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Considerably greater quantities of enzyme were produced by P. chrysogenum and the yeast in both laboratory and large-scale fermentors when sucrose was added continuously than when the same quantities of the sugar were added initially.