Effect of surfactants on the production of ergot-alkaloids by immobilized mycelia of Claviceps paspali

In a semicontinuous process immobilized Claviceps paspali mycelia produced alkaloids over a period of 60 days (six reincubations). By addition of the surfactant Pluronik, a polyethoxypolypropoxy polymer, a considerable increase in alkaloid biosynthesis occurred. The maximum product concentration achieved was 8.35 g l(-1), and the overall productivity was 5.80 mg l(-1) h(-1), which is half the productivity of the batch process. Maximum process productivity for a single reincubation (12.3 mg l(-1) h(-1)) was almost equal to the batch process productivity.