Production of Microbial Lipids from Beet Molasses

A variety of yeasts were cultivated on beet molasses (BM)-containing medium. Rhodotorula glutinis was superior to the other yeasts in lipid production (14% on dry weight basis), as well as in the efficient conversion of BM sugars to lipids (7%). Repeatedly centrifuged BM solution offered the best molasses sample which allowed the production of relatively high yeast yields. Maximum lipid yield (24.1%) was achieved with 8 days old cultures of Rhodotorula glutinis grown on a medium composed of (g/L): NH4NO3, 3; NaH2PO4, 0.7; K2SO4, 0.1, ZnSO4.7H2O, 0.05; FeCl3, 0.05; centrifuged BM, 60. pH 7.0.