Selection of Rhizopus strains for L(+)-lactic acid and gamma-linolenic acid production.

The production of L(+)-lactic acid and formation of gamma-linolenic acid by 50 Rhizopus strains growing on saccharidic substrates were investigated. Formation of acids was observed on solid cultivation media but mainly during submerged fermentation. Strains with the highest selectivity of both L(+)-lactic acid production and gamma-linolenic acid formation were tested in a laboratory fermenter. The best producer was treated by UV irradiation to increase the fatty acid content in the biomass, especially that of gamma-linolenic acid. The conversion of 10% saccharidic substrate by this newly prepared strain Rhizopus arrhizus CCM 8109 results in more than 95% of theoretical yield of L(+)-lactic acid and permits a volume productivity of 0.4 g gamma-linolenic acid per liter.