Monday, May 5, 2008
9-42

Evaluation of kinetics and nutritional parameters on Rhodotorula glutinis growth and pigmentation

Myrella M. T. Almeida and Gustavo A. S. Pinto. National Research Center of Tropical Agroindustry, Embrapa - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita, 2270, Pici, Fortaleza/CE, 60511-110, Brazil

Several Rhodotorula yeast strains are used for industrial production of carotenoids, important pigments responsible for coloration of some vegetables and microorganisms. Its industrial production using microorganisms is highly efficient. Rhodotorula glutinis is extensively used in fermentation, being able to produce β-carotene (Vitamin A precursor). An important aspect regarding fermentation process is the development of a culture medium  that maximizes the production of products of interest, using a cheap raw material. Due to the increasing interest in biofuels, like biodiesel for example, one can observe an increase in the amount of available glycerol, what has caused pronounced price decrease. Thus, new applications for large amounts of this product are needed. In this context, carotenoid production, among other fermentative processes, has interested different research groups. As β-carotene has intracellular nature, a highest biomass production is directly related to the obtaining of a highest concentration, being an important parameter to be considered in the optimization of the desired product. In this work, the influence of glycerol as a carbon source in the biomass production, through submerse fermentation using the Rhodotorula glutinis microorganism, was studied. For the evaluation of the kinetic parameters such as temperature and agitation, the culture media were prepared using the dosages of 20g/L glycerol, 5g/L yeast extract and 5g/L peptone. Once obtained the best results for the mentioned parameters, different nitrogen sources were tested, as yeast extract, peptone and ammonium sulfate.

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