Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Exhibit Hall
One way of use of crude glycerol is its bioconversion products of industrial interest, since it is considered a highly reduced carbon sources and assimilable by bacteria and yeasts. Currently the genus Rhodotorula has been extensively investigated because of its potential for industrial production, especially the production of carotenoids. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of the genus Rhodotorula strains in the production of carotenoids from glycerol. Were tested R. glutinis, R. minuta, R. aurantiaca, R. lactose, from culture colletion and isolated Rhodotorula sp. CNPAT02. Preliminary tests were conducted to select those with better performance in the production of carotenoid pigments. The fermentations occured at 30 °C, agitation of 150 rpm for 240 hours. The subsequent phase of the study consisted of fermentation tests, using crude and pure glycerol inoculated with the selected strains. These tests were conducted in 2 L flasks at 30 °C, agitation 150 rpm for 240 hours. Rhodotorula sp. CNPAT02 was the best strain for biomass and pigmentation, using crude glycerol as sole carbon source. The biomass grew until 72 hours, reaching 7.2 g.L-1. After this time biomass concentration was constant, but the culture showed increased in pigmentation. In 216 hours of fermentation the chromatic parameters were a*=+11.23 and b* =+8.71, indicating a strong pink color of culture. In this way, the use of glycerol production of pigments by Rhodotorula is viable.