Optimization of microbial production of essential fatty acids by using of Mucor rouxii in oil wastes

Essential fatty acids (omega3/6) which are precursors of prostaglandins and leukotrienes and play an important rules in treatment of diseases. These fatty acids cannot be synthesized by human and should be obtained by nutritional dietary. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is one of the omega 6 fatty acids that is useful in cardiovascular and cancer diseases. Fungi especially zygomycetes are known as the best lipid producers containing essential fatty acids. The purpose of this research was using of several oil wastes as the renewable and cheap substrates to production of essential fatty acids by zygomycete fungi Mucor rouxii DSM1194. Five oil wastes were studied and the production of lipids, biomass, essential fatty acids like GLA, linoleate (omega6) and alpha linolenate (omega3) were determined. Since production of GLA was considerable, it was optimized by hierarchical experimental design, including a half fraction factorial and then design following by the response surface method (RSM). Yeast extract, ammonium sulphate and carbon source (oil wastes) were the significant factors on optimization of GLA production. Results showed after 72h growth of fungi in 28° C on R1 oil waste (obtained from restaurant), 56.4 mg/l GLA were produced which increased to 82.23 mg/l after optimization. The interaction of carbon and nitrogen sources was significant while yeast extract and ammonium sulphate didn`t have any interaction effects.