Heterologous protein secretion by Aspergillus niger growing in submerged culture as dispersed or aggregated mycelia.

The secreted production of a heterologous enzyme, hen egg-white lysozyme, by Aspergillus niger was studied in shake flasks containing media of different initial viscosities. Raising the viscosity of the medium by addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) brought about a transition in the form of growth from aggregated mycelia (pellets) to dispersed mycelia. The specific yield of lysozyme in cultures containing an initial concentration of 5% (w/v) starch was 8 mg lysozyme/g dry weight. Addition of 2% (w/v) PVP to the medium resulted in a specific yield of 14 mg lysozyme/g dry weight.