Single cell oil (SCO) production by Fusarium species using cheese whey as a substrate

Abstract

In this study single cell oil (SCO) production by Fusarium species using deproteinized whey as carbon source was investigated. The total lipid accumulated in the biomass of the fungi examined ranged from 0.1467 to 0.8661 mg lipid per mg wet weight. Gas chromatography analysis of the synthesized microbial lipids from the Fusarium species revealed that the major constituents were palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2). Therefore, the whey medium was found to be effective for promotion of the accumulation of substantial amounts of lipids by Fusarium species.