Using inorganic elements to control cell growth and lipid accumulation in Lipomyces starkeyi.

Abstract

We studied how to control the ability of Lipomyces starkeyi cells to grow and accumulate lipid by adding inorganic elements. Adding Zn2+, Mn2+, and monopotassium phosphate at a stationary phase of growth caused rapid changes. However, adding these elements individually did not induce any marked changes in the cell growth and lipid accumulation. When these elements were added simultaneously, the yeast underwent a second logarithmic growth and the respiration rate increased. Concurrently, this addition stopped the normal increase in the amount of lipid in the culture (mg of lipid/ml of culture), and decreased the lipid content of the cells (mg of lipid/108 cells). The periods of second logarithmic growth and the cessation of lipid accumualtion were shortened when monopotassium phosphate was not added. The function of monopotassium phosphate was replaced by another buffer chemical.