Optimization of SCO and xylitol production in the oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

The application of microorganisms in the production of economically valuable products has attracted a great attention in recent years. These valuable materials such as single cell oil and poly-alcohols have potential for application in various industrial fields. Single cell oil in biodiesel production and poly-alcohols such as xylitol in the food and pharmaceutical industries, are valuable. In this study high production of SCO was evaluated and analyzing of SCO was done by FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, xylitol production by the yeast, in the media containing xylose was done and xylitol was analyzed by using colorimetric method. Optimization of microbial oil and xylitol production was done by Taguchi method and valuable results were obtained. This strain was reached to SCO production and dry biomass of 10.21 g/L in optimum condition including 100 g/L glucose, 72 h incubation time, pH = 5, temperature of 25 ºC and rpm=180. In addition, in the medium with 140 g/L of xylose, xylitol production was 54.99 g/L. The results of this study can show that there are native yeasts with high potential of producing valuable materials which can be directed to produce the desired products by providing appropriate medium condition.