Chitose Laboratory Corporation (hereinafter “CHITOSE”), the core company of CHITOSE Group, has been developing an AI-based automatic cultivation control system (hereinafter “CHITOSE’s AI system”) that optimally manages microbial culture conditions for fermentation production. This development is part of the project titled “Development of Production Technology for Bio-based Products to Accelerate the Realization of Carbon Recycling, led by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter “NEDO”). (*1)

Recently, in collaboration with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (hereinafter “Ajinomoto Co.”), CHITOSE successfully applied its AI system to the cultivation of filamentous fungi – a microorganism well known to be difficult to control during cultivation. As a result, protein productivity was doubled compared to the best conditions previously designed by humans.

Continuously Changing Culture Conditions Beyond Human Optimization
In microbial fermentation production, the culture conditions evolve continuously from start to finish, encompassing stages such as adaptation to the environment, growth, and production of the target substance. It is virtually impossible for humans to continuously and appropriately adjust various parameters, such as temperature and pH in response to these changes. As a result, even at fermentation sites equipped with extensive expertise and technology, cultivation has traditionally been carried out under fixed conditions.

CHITOSE’s AI System Doubles Productivity in Challenging Filamentous Fungi
The subject of this joint research with Ajinomoto Co. is filamentous fungi, which differ from organisms like E. coli in that they grow by extending hyphae. This characteristic causes a significant discrepancy between optical density measurements and actual cell counts, making it extremely difficult to accurately assess the culture state and optimize cultivation conditions.

CHITOSE’s AI system overcame these challenges by quantitatively capturing the culture conditions through sensing technologies and dynamically adjusting multiple control parameters in complex ways during cultivation. This approach enabled the fungi to reach their full potential, resulting in a protein productivity level that significantly exceeded the results achieved under conditions designed by experienced technicians, ultimately doubling the protein yield.

“Precision Control” of Common Parameters: The Key to Doubling Productivity
Target parameters in this study were three standard parameters used in fermentation processes: temperature, pH, and nutrient feed rate. No special control parameters or equipment were introduced. Instead, the results were achieved through precise control that dynamically adjusted these parameters in response to changes in the culture condition.

Traditionally, fermentation processes have relied on fixed control values, with settings determined by human knowledge and experience. However, in this system, CHITOSE’s sensing technologies (*2) enabled the detection of subtle changes in culture conditions that were previously unobservable. The AI system then learned from this data and autonomously proposed and executed optimal control operations, thereby unlocking the full potential of the microorganisms.

New Possibilities in Process Development: AI Connecting Lab and Production
The results of this study will be utilized in the framework of NEDO’s “Research and Development of Technologies to Promote Biomanufacturing,” specifically within the theme proposed by Ajinomoto Co., titled “Development of Precision Fermentation Technology for Environmental Protection and Stable Food Supply” (*3). The aim is to develop a protein production process leveraging AI control technology, with the goal of achieving both rapid development and high productivity.

From Ajinomoto Co.’s Press Release (JPN)

In fermentation process development, there is often a significant gap between lab-scale and production-scale environments, thus the development for each scale is carried out independently. As a result, adjusting and optimizing conditions across different scales has traditionally relied heavily on the experience of seasoned professionals, followed by extensive trial and error.

However, by utilizing CHITOSE’s AI system, it is possible to collect the same type of data from both lab and production environments and analyze it on a unified platform. This opens up the potential for a new process development platform in which R&D and production are seamlessly integrated.

CHITOSE remains committed to advancing AI-driven cultivation process development and promoting the revolution in bio-manufacturing.

Additional Information
*1 Project name: Development of Production Technology for Bio-based Products to Accelerate the Realization of Carbon Recycling
Period: 2020~2026
Project overview: https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/activities/activities_ZZJP_100170.html
Some of the results also incorporate outcomes from a related project under NEDO’s “Development Project on Data Sharing in Collaborative Areas and AI System to Achieve the “Connected Industries”.”
(Reference) NEDO News Release (September 6, 2019): “Launch of Development of AI-Based Bio-Production Management System”
https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101190.html (JPN)

*2 For more details on the sensing technology, please refer to the following press release:
“Successful Development of AI-Driven Automatic Cultivation Control System! – Achieving High-Precision Cultivation Control Beyond Human Capabilities for the Development of Functional Food Ingredients Using Microorganisms”, September 4, 2023
https://chitose-bio.com/jp/news/5747/ (JPN)

*3 For reference, see the press release issued by Ajinomoto Co.:
“Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Selected for NEDO Project, Begins Development of New Protein Production Technology”, December 26, 2024
https://news.ajinomoto.co.jp/2024/12/20241226.html (JPN)

About Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
The Ajinomoto Group will contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society and our planet with “AminoScience” based on the corporate slogan “Eat Well, Live Well.”. The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 31 countries and regions, and the number of businesses operating worldwide is 121 (as of 2025). In fiscal 2024, sales were 1.5305 trillion yen.
To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com.

CHITOSE Group Overview
https://chitose-bio.com/
CHITOSE Group is a family of biotechnology companies leading the global bioeconomy.  To live in abundance beyond the next millennium using the ability of living things, CHITOSE pursues the possibilities of biotechnology through technological and business development collaborating with its business partners all over the world.

About CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION PTE. LTD. (head office that oversees CHITOSE Group)
・Established in October, 2011
・Head Office located in Singapore
・CEO: Tomohiro FUJITA, Ph. D.

About CHITOSE Laboratory Corp. (a core company of CHITOSE Group that focuses on business and technological development)
・Established in November, 2002
・Head Office located in Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
・CEO: Tomohiro FUJITA, Ph. D.
・COO: Rie KUGIMIYA