Effect of cultural conditions on production of eicosapentaenoic acid byPythium irregulare

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Abstract
The effect of culture conditions upon lipid content and fatty acid composition of mycelia ofPythium irregulare was investigated with particular attention to increasing the yield of 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5; ω−3) (EPA). All experiments were done by shake flask culture using a yeast extract + malt extract medium. The maximum growth rate was obtained at 25°C, but maximum EPA production was obtained at 12°C. The highest EPA production was 76.5 μg EPA/ml 13 days fermentation at 12°C. Addition of glucose during fermentation increased the yield considerably. The highest yield was 112 μg/ml, obtained at 13 days fermentation with spiking on day 11. Fermentation time could be shortened by initial incubation at 25°C for 2 days, followed by incubation at 12°C for 6 days. The culture also produced arachidonic acid and other ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. EPA production was also obtained with lactose or sweet whey permeate, a by-product of cheese manufacture that contains lactose as the main carbohydrate.