Aims: To optimize the production of linolenic acid by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol.
Methods and results: Effects of culture conditions such as culture time, pH of medium, hexadecanol concentration, incubation temperature and ageing of mycelia on production of linolenic acid were studied. The production of gamma-linolenic acid reached 2.44 mg ml-1 (271 mg g-1 dry cells) when Mortierella isabellina was cultivated in a medium consisting of 2% hexadecanol and 1% yeast extract at 23 degrees C for 120 h and then the mycelia, after removal of medium by suction filtration, were allowed to stand for a further 15 d at 5 degrees C.
Conclusion: Ageing of mycelia and incubation temperature showed predominant effects on the increased linolenic acid production.
Significance and impact of the study: This study highlights effective conditions for increasing linolenic acid production by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol.