초록
<P>Bioencapsulation of microbial cells in silica-based matrices has proved to be a good strategy to enhance the biosynthetic capabilities and viability of bioproducers. In the present study, mycelium and pellet cultures of strain <I>Aspergillus oryzae</I> PP were successfully immobilized in sol–gel hybrid matrices composed of tetraethylorthosilicate as an inorganic precursor, 5% (w/v) starch and 10 or 15% (w/v) polyethylene oxide, or 10% (w/v) calcium alginate as organic compounds. Biosynthetic activity of immobilized cultures was investigated by batch and fed-batch cultivation and the obtained results of 3042.04 IU cm<SUP>−3</SUP> were comparable with the enzyme activity of the free cell culture. Immobilized cultures retained their viability and biosynthetic capabilities up to the 744th h during fed-batch fermentation processes. Consequently, sol–gel encapsulation in hybrid matrices could be considered as a promising technique for immobilization of <I>Aspergillus oryzae</I> PP in order to increase the α-amylase production.</P>