Protein and other Compositional Analyses of Saccharomyces fragilis grown on Coconut Water Waste

Saccharomyces fragilis organisms, grown in batch cultures on coconut water and in continuous-flow cultures on either a defined medium (containing mixtures of glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol) or coconut water, were analysed for macromolecular components, cell wall material and amino acids. The data were used to evaluate the suitability of the yeast as a source of single cell protein. Excess nitrogen was necessary to attain maximum cellular protein contents although the yeast yield was maximized at lower concentrations. Major macromolecular components were present in quantities similar to other food yeasts; the amino acid profile was satisfactory from a nutritional viewpoint and contained high levels of lysine. The product was slightly deficient in cystine and methionine. Some advantages of developing carbohydrate-based SCP processes, such as that proposed with coconut water, and as alternatives to hydrocarbon-based processes, are suggested.