Effects of Mineral Addition on Production of γ-Linolenic Acid by Rhizopus nigricans

Abstract

The effect of mineral addition on γ-linolenic acid (GLA) production by Rhizopus nigricans SSSD-8 was studied. The cultivation was conducted at 30°C for 6 d in a 250 ml flask containing potato-dextrose-yeast medium with or without Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, NaCl and/or KCl. Cultivation in potato-dextrose-yeast medium without minerals produced 0.53g/L-culture of GLA, and the addition of 0.4% KCl increased the GLA production to 2.52g/L-culture. The addition of mineral mixture failed to increase the GLA production. The addition of mineral mixture, caused no change in triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid (PL) compositions of the fungus.