Optimization of Fermentation Process and Its Impact on Gene Transcription of Intracellular Polysaccharide Synthesis in the Wood Ear Medicinal Mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae (Agaricomycetes)

To improve the production of mycelial biomass and intracellular polysaccharide (IPS), the culture medium composition and culture condition were respectively optimized by response surface methodology and one-factor-at-a-time methodology. The impact of fermentation process on the transcription of genes involved in IPS synthesis was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The yield of biomass and IPS were increased by 150% and 177% under the optimized fermentation process, respectively. Moreover, the optimization of fermentation process significantly increased the transcription of genes involved in IPS synthesis, especially pgm-1, ugp, and pgi. This is the first exploration of gene transcription profile for IPS synthesis of Auricularia auricula-judae under submerged fermentation. These results could provide a potential tool for fermentation process optimization and transcriptional regulation of IPS biosynthesis in A. auricula-judae.