Conversion of the enzymatic hydrolysate of shellfish waste chitin to single‐cell protein

The conversion of the enzymatic hydrolysate of shellfish chitin waste to single‐cell protein was investigated as part of a comprehensive waste treatment program. Forty‐two yeasts were screened for ability to assimilate the monomer of chitin, N ‐acetylglucosamine, which has been shown to be the sole product of enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin. The Yeast Pichia Kudriavzevii was selected for study, based on ability to grow at high temperature (37°C and above), low pH (4.0 ± 0.5), and in a nutritionally simple medium. Growth rates of P. kudriavzevii were similar on N ‐acetylglucosamine and on the chitin hydrolysate. Dependencies of specific growth rate on temperature, pH, medium composition, and oxygen tension were studied. The variations of yield, protein content, and total nucleic acid content with the specific growth rate were evaluated. The amino acid distribution of the protein of P. kudriavzevii was obtained.