Production of eicosapentaenoic acid by mortierella spp on barley spent grain

Abstract

There is a growing interest in sources alternative to fish oil of long- chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly the ω-3 PUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The current study aims to produce ω- 3 PUFAs, by solid- state fungal fermentation, on barley spent grain, a by-product of the brewing industry and a food- grade waste. The substrate has a high protein content and a high fat content (21-25% and 9- 10% respectively on a dry basis). The enzymes used by the fungi to produce ω-3 PUFAs convert α- linolenic acid (ALA) into EPA.In this study, the substrate was supplemented with linseed oil (containing approximately 60% ALA) to determine the effect of ALA on growth and PUFA production