The use of Candida tropicalis as a source of single cell protein

Abstract

The biomass formation of Candida tropicalis, isolated from Palm wine in different nitrogen and carbon sources was examined using the dry weight method. A significantly high increase in yield was observed when 1 % fructose was used for this organism and maximum yield value was obtained in 4% fructose and 0.075 % urea as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Cane molasses, a natural substrate was also used in growing this organism, and a significantly higher increase in yield was obtained in 0.2% (w/v) of the reducing sugar for C.tropicalis.

Analyses of the proximate composition of the fungus revealed that C. tropicalis had carbohydrate, protein and lipid values of 31.2, 39.2 and 8.3, respectively, with free amino acid content of 41 x 10-3 g/l in synthetic medium and 29.1, 41.3 and 4.8, respectively in cane molasses. The energy values were also calculated to be 1504.81 and 1373.97 kJ/g, respectively. These results are discussed with reference to the potential nutritional benefits of this organism.