Study on production of mycophenolic acid by Penicillium pinophilum using response surface metodology

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) can be produced from Penicillium pinophilum by submerged fermentation. Here we reported the use of the Plackett-Burman design to screen the limiting components for MPA production and subsequent use the response surface methodology was employed to derive a statistical model for media optimization towards production of MPA. The results obtained of Plackett-Burman indicated limitations of three components in the basal medium, aspartic acid, methionine and Tween 80. The determinant coefficient was 0.80, ensuring a satisfactory adjustment of the model to the experimental values. This statistical design was good in improving the titer of MPA up 923 mg/L and a specific productivity of 0.05 mg AMP/mg of biomass/h after 10 day of fermentation.