Fatty acid production by four strains of Mucor hiemalis grown in plant oil and soluble carbohydrates

• Published in: African journal of biotechnology Vol. 6; no. 15; pp. 1840 - 1847
• Main Authors: Sacirc mia, M Tauk Tornisielo, Joelma, Mauriacute cio Vieira, Maria, Ceciacute lia, V, S Carneiro, Joseacute, Silvio Govone
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06-08-2007
• Subjects: Helianthus; Mucor hiemalis
• ISSN: 1684-5315; 1684-5315
• DOI: 10.5897/AJB2007.000-2273

Four Mucor hiemalis strains (Ml, M2, M3 and M4), isolated from soil at a depth of 0 - 15 cm in the Jureia-Itatins Ecology Station (JIES), in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil and were evaluated for the production of gamma -linolenic (GLA) and other unsaturated fatty acids. Five growth variables (temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and vegetable oils) were studied. Liquid media containing 2% vegetable oil (palm oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil) or 2% carbohydrate (fructose, galactose, glycerol, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, sorbitol or xylose) and 1% yeast extract as a nitrogen source were used. The greatest biomass production was observed with M3 and M4 strains in palm oil (91.5 g l super(-1)) and sunflower oil (68.3 g l super(-1)) media, respectively. Strain M4 produced greater quantities of polyunsaturated acids in medium containing glucose. The GLA production in the M4 biomass was 1,132.2 mg l super(-1) in glucose medium. Plant oils were inhibitors of fatty acid production by these strains.