Short Communication: Continuous cultivation of the yeast Candida utilis atdifferent dilution rates on pineapple cannery effluent

Candida utilis was grown on a pineapple cannery effluent in a chemostat at dilution rates ranging between 0.05 and 0.65 h(-1) to establish optimal con ditions for biomass production and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction. Sucrose, fructose and glucose were the main sugars in the effluent. Maximum value for cell yield coefficient and productivity were (0.686, g(x)/g(s)) and (2.96, g(x)/l/h) at a dilution rate of 0.425 and 0.475 h(-1), respectiv ely, while maximum COD reduction (98%) was attained at a dilution rate of 0 .1 h(-1). The maintenance coefficient attained a value of (0.093, g(s)/g(x) /h). An increase in dilution rate produced a higher protein content of the biomass.