gamma-Linolenic acid production with Thamnidium elegans by solid-state fermentation on apple pomace

Apple pomace (AP) and spent malt grains (SMG) were used as the major substr ate components for the production of a high-value fungal oil containing up to 11.43% biologically active gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The solid-state f ermentation (SSF) process developed for GLA production was affected by subs trate composition and moisture, agitation and aeration. Under optimised con ditions GLA yields as high as 3.50 g/kg moist substrate were obtained from Thm,Thamnidium elegans CCF 1456, grown on a substrate consisting of a mixtu re of AP and SMG impregnated with peanut oil and a nutrient solution, after 8 days of incubation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.