Pullulan Production from Starch Hydrolysate by Aureobasidium pullulans SH8646

Pullulan was produced from starch hydrolysate with Aureobasidium pullulans SH8646. We could measure the correct amount of pullulan produced without the interference of starch from the culture supernatant by using a bacterial $\alpha$-amylase treatment and ethanol: acetone (1:1) precipitation. When 5% acid-hydrolyzed starch was used as a carbon source, the dry cell weights obtained were similar irrespective of DE values of starch hydrolysates. The dry cell weights of those on the starch hydrolysate media prepared with 0.1 N HC1 treatment, were slightly higher (9.5~10.5 g/l) than those on the starch hydrolysate media prepared with 1.0 N HCl (8.5~9.5 g/l). And among the starch hydrolysates showing DE values lower than 50, maximum pullulan production of 15 g/l was obtained at DE 30~40 starch hydrolysate but those showing DE values higher than 50, the pullulan production was increased with the increase of the DE value of starch hydrolysates. From the media containing 5%, 10%, and 15% starch hydrolysate (DE 25, 45, and 75), about 20~34% pullulan yield was obtained and the maximum pullulan yield of 34% (17g/l) was obtained from 5% DE 75 starch hydrolysate. The pullulan yields from starch hydrolysate media were much lower than those from glucose, maltose, maltotriose, and sucrose media.