Lipid Extraction Methods for Lipomyces starkeyi

Abstract

Various lipid extraction methods were applied to Lipomyces starkeyi, freeze-dried, heatdried and intact cells. It was found that the freeze-dried cells were usually more extractable than other types of cells. A high lipid recovery was obtained by a lytic enzyme (Corticium centrifugum) treatment, conc. HCl treatment and Pedersen's method using chloroform-methanol (1:1). The first two methods, however, hydrolyzed phospholipids and released free fatty acids during the extraction of lipids. From the results we have obtained, the best method for lipid extraction from L. starkeyi is that in which the freeze-dried cells are extracted by the Pedersen's method. The results obtained from the application of these methods to a hydrocarbon-grown yeast are also described.