Production of Lipids by Fermentation Preliminary Report

Forty seven species of soil fungi were obtained from Fermentation Laboratory, Department of harmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi.
The presence of lipids/fats in these fungi was investigated. The fungi were cultured by surface culture method using two different media, one reported by Preuss (1984), the other medium was modified during the present study in which sodium nitrate was used instead of ammonium nitrate and the amount of glucose was also doubled.
The presence of lipids/fats was confirmed in twelve species. The amount of lipid produced was also calculated. The capability of fungal species to produce lipids was: Aspergillus oxysporum 76.60%, A. solani 45.80%, A. ustus 38.00% and A. semitectum 37.80%.
From the results it is concluded that the local species of fungi has the potential to produce lipids in high quantity.
It is concluded further that a medium containing ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source and glucose as a carbon is the best for lipid synthesis.