113. Which of the following statements is NOT true for penicillin production using Penicillium
notatum?
1. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite
2. Penicillin is recovered from the fermented broth by solvent extraction.
3. The process is carried out in fed batch mode
4. The process follows growth associated product formation kinetics.

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Question:

Which of the following statements is NOT true for penicillin production using Penicillium notatum?

1. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite

2. Penicillin is recovered from the fermented broth by solvent extraction.

3. The process is carried out in fed batch mode

4. The process follows growth associated product formation kinetics.

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Correct Answer:

4. The process follows growth associated product formation kinetics.

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Explanation:

Penicillin production using Penicillium notatum involves various stages and processes. Let’s examine each statement in detail:

1. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite:
This statement is true. Penicillin is classified as a secondary metabolite, which means it is produced during the stationary phase of microbial growth when the growth rate slows down, rather than during active growth.

2. Penicillin is recovered from the fermented broth by solvent extraction:
This statement is true. After the fermentation process, penicillin is typically recovered from the culture medium using solvent extraction methods. This is a common technique used to separate the product from the fermentation broth.

3. The process is carried out in fed batch mode:
This statement is true. Penicillin production often takes place in a fed-batch reactor, where nutrients are gradually added to the culture over time to optimize product yield and minimize waste buildup.

4. The process follows growth associated product formation kinetics:
This statement is NOT true. Penicillin production does not follow growth-associated product formation kinetics. Penicillin is primarily produced during the stationary phase of growth, where product formation is largely independent of the growth rate. This is characteristic of secondary metabolite production. In contrast, growth-associated product formation occurs when the product is produced in direct proportion to the growth rate of the microorganism, which is not the case for penicillin.

Conclusion:

Penicillin is a secondary metabolite produced under stationary phase conditions, and its production is largely independent of the growth rate. Therefore, the statement that the process follows growth-associated product formation kinetics is incorrect.

Correct Answer: 4. The process follows growth associated product formation kinetics.