Biopolymer Production by the Yeast <i>Rhodotorula glutinis</i>

In this work, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was investigated. The results suggest that the synthesis of EPS in batch fermentations was enhanced by using a low C/N ratio to stimulate fast cell growth during the exponential phase and by adding glucose to stationary phase cultures to provide excess carbon for EPS formation. The apparent viscosity and molecular weight of EPS were found to decrease with increasing fermentation time due to the partial hydrolysis of EPS by the acidic fermentation broth (pH 1.8). Maintaining stationary phase cultures at pH 4 was found to be effective in minimizing acid hydrolysis and producing EPS with high molecular weight and apparent viscosity.