Production of gamma-linolenic acid by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol

Production of gamma-linolenic acid by disrupted mycelia of Mortierella isabellina

AIMS

To optimize the production of linolenic acid by disrupted mycelia of Mortierella isabellina.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Effects of incubation conditions such as incubation time, pH of reaction mixture, concentration of Mg2+ or malate and incubation temperature on production of linolenic acid were studied. The production of gamma-linolenic acid reached 224 mg g-1 dry cells when the reaction mixture was composed of 1.0 g (dry mycelial mass) of disrupted mycelia of M. isabellina, 50 ml (50 mmol l(-1)) potassium phosphate buffer supplemented with 0.312 mmol l(-1) of Mg2+ and 10 mmol l(-1) of malate, pH 7.0 and incubated at 5 degrees C for 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

Incubation temperature, concentration of Mg2+ and malate showed major effects on the increased linolenic acid production.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study highlights conditions for increasing gamma-linolenic acid production by cell-free mycelia of M. isabellina and an insight into rapidly gaining high production of polyunsaturated fatty acids.