To have a comparative account on the size and shape of the pellets obtained under all the
optimized growth conditions (pH 6, 200 rpm, 25 °C, and 5 %(v/v) inoculum size), SEM
analysis was also carried out for those pellets. As can be seen in the Fig. 6d, e, the pellets
almost maintained uniformity in their size and shape. The pellet diameter measured was 0.440
±0.05 mm. The reduction (∼55 %) in pellet diameter was very significant in terms of FA
production. Hyphal diameter remained almost unchanged (3±0.8 μm, Fig. 6f). The structural
intactness with reduced diameter (from 1 to 0.4 mm) regulated by the inoculum volume was an
important finding of the present study.