Fusarium venenatum

External image
External image
	Fusarium venatum A3/5 in filamentous form before branching

Fusarium venenatum
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Sordariomycetes
Order:	Hypocreales
Family:	Nectriaceae
Genus:	Fusarium
Species:	F. venenatum
Binomial name
	Fusarium venenatum; Nirenberg

Fusarium venenatum is a

single cell protein mycoprotein Quorn

.

Fusarium venenatum was discovered growing in soil in

Fusarium graminearum.^[3]

The strain Fusarium venenatum A3/5 (IMI 145425, ATCC PTA-2684

Quorn.^[2] It is also suitable as a substitute for fat in dairy products and a substitute for cereal in breakfast cereals and snacks.^[1]

Commercial production

Fusarium venenatum intended for use in Quorn products is grown under

maize starch. Potassium, magnesium and phosphate sources are added as a necessary mineral trace. Both these and the glucose are sterilized prior to use. Additional make up broth can be injected at the base of the vessel as material is removed. The broth is maintained at a pH of 6 and a temperature of 28–30 °C, with a biomass density

of 15 grams per litre; equating to a total vessel biomass of 2,250 kg.

As culture growth occurs,

vegan diet

.

The complete vessels contain 230 tonnes of broth, as glucose is denser than water. 30 tonnes of the cultured broth are removed per hour. The culture density within the broth at filtration varies from 1.5% (the vessel's standard culture density) to 25–30% w/v, equating to a standard production rate of 292 hydrated kilograms per hour, or 7 hydrated metric tons per 24-hour cycle. This gives a vessel dilution rate of about 13% w/w per hour; the amount of broth and culture mass being removed and then made back up per hour, with respect to the total mass in the vessel. The dry mass contains 25% cell wall, 48% protein, 12% soluble carbohydrate and 12% fat. The total protein content varies from 43-85%.Allergic reactions to Quorn products are usually caused by an allergy to its mycoprotein content – a fungal protein derived from the fungus Fusarium venenatum^[5]