Env Exp Biol (2014) 12: 15–27

Production of fatty acids by Mortierella and Umbelopsis species isolated from temperate climate soils

Abstract

Soil fungi from the genera Mortierella and Umbelopsis are known as effective producers of polyunsaturated fatty acids, among which industrially the most important is arachidonic acid. Primary screening for the best arachidonic acid producers was conducted on malt extract with gelatin and potato dextrose agar with or without aspirin. Only five isolates were able to grow on potato dextrose agar with aspirin. They did not contain arachidonic acid but they produced relatively high amounts of other unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids. All isolates producing arachidonic acid produced also lignoceric acid. From all tested liquid media the highest yield of arachidonic acid and total yield of fatty acids was obtained using medium containing soybean powder. Some of the isolates produced higher amounts of total fatty acids and arachidonic acid in media containing fewer amounts of carbon sources and at low incubation temperature.