Lipid accumulation inRhodotorula glutinis on sugar cane molasses in single-stage continuous culture.

Microbial lipids produced byRhodotorula glutinis grown in continuous culture with molasses under nitrogen-limiting conditions were evaluated and the effects of growth rate on fatty acid composition were studied. As the growth rate decreased, cell biomass, lipid content and lipid yield gradually increased. The maximum lipid content recorded was 39% (w/w) of dry cell biomass at a dilution rate of 0.04 h(-1). The growth rate also affected fatty acid composition: oleic acid decreased with decreasing growth rate while stearic acid increased.