Raw-starch Digestion by Chalara paradoxa Immobilized in Calcium Alginate Gels

The spores of raw starch digesting fungus Chalara paradoxa were entrapped in calcium-alginate beads and preincubated in growth medium. The fungus devoloped a mycelium layer below and on the gel bead surface so that nutrition and oxygen in this area had direct contact with mycelia. The fungus on the bead could produce amylase and could digest raw corn starch continuously for 40 d with corn steep liquor as a nitrogen source.