Effects of oxygen and glucose levels on lipid composition of yeast candida utilis grown in continuous culture

Total lipids were extracted from the cells of Candida utilis grown at a constant population density in continuous culture. At different steady states, the environment was controlled with respect to dissolved oxygen and glucose concentrations, pH and temperature. Gas liquid chromatography was used to follow quantitative and qualitative changes in the fatty acid composition of the cells. Increasing glucose concentration resulted in higher lipid content; high oxygen concentrations increased the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The most significant changes in fatty acid composition took place when both glucose and oxygen concentrations were high, and under these conditions the amount, of linolenic acid was at its highest value.