Isolation, culture characteristics and factors affecting growth and biomass production of a strain of Candida sp. used for single-cell-protein-enriched feed supplement production

Abstract

During the preliminary phase of a process for the production of a protein-enriched feed supplement, a strain of Candida sp. was isolated from ripe banana pulp. Morphological and biochemical tests showed that the strain which was bipolar and elongated was not capable of growth at 37 oC but grew only on dextrose and fructose and was able to supply its amino acid requirements in culture. The efficiency of conversion of readily utilizable carbon sources in fruit wastes used for feed supplement production by the test strain was studied. Results obtained showed that reducing sugars were most readily utilized compared to other soluble carbohydrates. Conversion efficiencies were high and averaged about 75 per cent in unsupplemented substrates. Supplementation with organic and inorganic compounds resulted in greatly increased biomass yields.


Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.30(2) 1997: 95-105