Proteome profiling illustrated by a large-scale fed-batch fermentation of Penicillium chrysogenum

•Morphological changes of P. chrysogenum during Penicillin V production are shown.•A proteomics approach was optimized for batch and fed-batch process samples.•2-D gel electrophoresis was used to analyze protein profiles during fermentation.•An attempt has been made to correlate protein profiles with penicillin production.

Filamentous fungi are employed for the large-scale production of value-added products, including organic acids, enzymes, and antibiotics and bioprocess characterization is essential for production optimization but relies on empiricism-based strategies. Protein expression profiles in an industrial scale, 180 h fed-batch fermentation of Penicillium chrysogenum are presented. The biomass of P. chrysogenum, as well as the specific penicillin V production rate and fungal morphology were monitored during fermentation to be compared with obtained protein profiles. Our results demonstrate a correlation between proteomics data and biomass concentration, morphological changes, and penicillin production.

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