Effect of different physico-chemical parameters on fermentative production of itaconic acid by Ustilago maydis

Itaconic acid (IA) is an α-substituted acrylic acid used in the manufacturing of synthetic resins, coatings and other industrially important products. It is generally produced by fungal species of Genus Aspergillus by fermentation of carbohydrates. Glucose is the most efficiently utilized substrate. However, there is no comprehensive study on using other fungi and latest technologies for increasing the productivity at industrial level. By keeping this in view, the present study was aimed to produce itaconic acid using Ustilago maydis species as it appears to be a candidate for an alternative producer of IA. Maximum yield (29g/l) was obtained at pH 3.0, temperature 34oC, incubated for a period of 5 days, glucose concentration at 4% under submerged fermentation conditions. Key words: Itaconic acid, Ustilago maydis, Glucose, Fermentation.