Optimal fermentation for zinc-enriched biomass of <i> Saccharomyces </i>

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents a valuable food supplement providing proteins and vitamins to the human diet. This yeast is also employed in studies on the interaction between microelements and microorganisms because it is easy to cultivate with a high cellular biomass yield in a short period of time. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of the medium composition (zinc, carbon and nitrogen concentrations) on zinc accumulation in S. cerevisiae. Results showed a positive correlation between zinc sulphate supplementation in the medium and the amount of zinc accumulated in the biomass. Zinc-rich
(15 mg/g) yeast production was optimized using the software JMP. The optimal fermentation parameters were as follows: zinc sulphate content of 1.5 g/l, glucose concentration of 100 g/l, and yeast extract concentration
of 5 g/l.