Effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on fungal lipid production

Screening of Phosphorus-Accumulating Fungi and Their Potential for Phosphorus Removal from Waste Streams

While bacteria have been primarily studied for phosphorus (P) removal in wastewater treatment, fungi and their ability to accumulate intracellular polyphosphate are less investigated. P-accumulating fungal strains were screened from soybean plants and surrounding soil by flask cultivation with potato dextrose broth and KH2PO4 in this study. Mucor circinelloides was selected for its high efficiency in P removal efficiency and high cellular P content. Neisser staining and growth-curve analysis confirmed that M. circinelloides stored polyphosphate intracellularly by luxury phosphate uptake. The effect of culture medium compositions on P removal efficiency and cellular P content was also investigated. Monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose) and organic nitrogen (N, such as urea, and peptone) promoted fungi growth and P accumulation. M. circinelloides also preferred organic phosphates. When glucose, urea, and phytic acid sodium salt were used as the carbon, N, and P source, respectively, the maximum utilization efficiency was 40.1% for P and 7.08% for cellular P content. In addition, the potential of M. circinelloides for P removal from waste streams was investigated. Compared with the non-inoculated control culture, inoculation with M. circinelloides improved the soluble P removal in treating wastewater centrate, screened manure, and digested manure.

The influence of various carbon and nitrogen sources on oil production by Fusarium oxysporum

The oil-synthesizing capacity of Fusarium oxysporum, cultivated on basal nutrient medium, was evaluated using different carbon and nitrogen sources. In one of the media, molasses was also used as a principal carbon source. Media containing glucose and ammonium nitrate were found to be most efficient for oil production. Fatty acid profile of the fungal oil indicated the presence of a wide range of fatty acids ranging from C8 to C24. Fatty acid composition largely depends on the type of carbon and nitrogen sources.

Effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on the chemical composition of lipids of Rhizopus delemar

Soy bean extract with glucose or oleic acid in the growth medium of Rhizopus delemar affected the production of higher values of biomass, total lipids and total glycerides than when ammonium nitrate was used as a source of nitrogen. The highest amounts of biomass (12.35 g/l) and total lipids (310 mg/g dry biomass) were attained in glucose-grown mycelia. The high proportions of total glycerides and unsaturated fatty acids in lipids of Rhizopus delemar suggest the utilization of such lipid material for nutritional and industrial purposes.