Optimization of polysaccharide and ergosterol production from Agaricus brasiliensis by fermentation process

Statistically based experimental designs were applied for the fermentation optimization of polysaccharide and ergosterol production from Agaricus brasiliensis in a stirred-fermenter. Culture temperature, agitation speed and initial pH were identified to have significant effects on polysaccharide and ergosterol production by a Plackett-Burman design. These three significant factors were subsequently optimized using steepest ascent method and Box-Behnken design. The validity of the optimum conditions was verified by separate experiments in which the polysaccharide and ergosterol yields were increased by 57% and 43%, respectively, as compared to those under unoptimized fermentation conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.