The continuous itaconic acid production from sucrose with Aspergillus terreus 
TKK 200-5-3 mycelium immobilized on polyurethane foam cubes was optimized in 
column bioreactors using statistical experimental design and empirical 
modelling. The highest itaconic acid product concentration calculated on the 
basis of the obtained model was 15.8 g l-1 in the investigated experimental 
area, when sucrose concentration was 13.5%, aeration rate 150 ml min-1 and 
residence time 178 h. From sucrose with immobilized A. terreus TKK 200-5-3 
mycelium itaconic acid production was stable for at least 4.5 months in 
continuous column bioreactors. In comparison, using glucose as substrate and 
immobilized A. terreus TKK 200-5-1 mycelium as biocatalyst similar stability was 
obtained with higher product concentration. The omission of copper sulphate from 
the production medium gave the highest itaconic acid product concentration (26 g 
l-1) from 9% glucose with 0.25% ammonium nitrate and 0.095% magnesium sulphate.