ABSTRACT
In a study of date-seed oil, 7% yield of total lipid was extractable from the seed of date palm [Phoenix dactylifera]. Thin-layer chromatography revealed that phospholipids were absent in Barni date-seed lipid, but mono-, di-, triacylglycerols, cholesterol esters and fatty acids were present. Gas chromatographic analysis was carried out on the fatty acids present in the date-seed lipid. The results revealed that lauric acid [130.61 mug/ml] was the major saturated fatty acid, while oleic acid [209.41 mug/ml] was the main unsaturated fatty acid. Myristic acid [64.7 mug/ml], palmitic acid [71.8 mug/ml], stearic acid [11.9 mug/ml] and linoleic acid [59.5 g/ml] were also present. Different date-seed lipid concentrations were used as carbon source in the fermentation medium for bioformation of tetracycline [TC] and chlortetracycline [CTC]. The high titers of TC and CTC were obtained when date-seed lipid was 30 mg/ml. Date-seed lipid was more efficient than dextrin when used as a carbon source. On utilizing date-seed lipid in the fermentation process, the residual fatty acids present in the fermented medium were determined. It was found that unsaturated fatty acids were consumed by the organism at greater percentages [49.97% oleic and 49.47% linoleic acid] than the saturated fatty acids [40.74% stearic, 39.17% myristic, 38.66% palmitic and 30.02% lauric acid]. Therefore, date-seed lipid could be used efficiently as carbon source in the formation of TC and CTC fermentation media