Fatty acid composition of oil synthesized byaspergillus nidulans

The filamentous fungusAspergillus nidulans Eidam strain 300 was found to be capable of synthesizing 24.9 % oil of remarkably low free fatty acidity, in a chemically defined medium with 34 % glucose as sole carbon source. Although the total content of oil synthesized was less, utilization of the carbon source is better as shown by the high (8.4) fat coefficient. The major component fatty acids of the oil were palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic and are influenced by the source of carbon. Palmitoleic acid is present in traces, confirming thereby the general observation that high oil formers produce oil of low hexadecenoic acid content. The relatively high stearic acid content of the oil distinguishes it from those of other microorganisms and resembles the oil produced by certain tropical plants, such asMadhuca latifolia.