Production and composition of microbial fat from Rhodotorula glutinis

The fatty acid, sterol and hydrocarbon compositions of oil produced by a new strain of Rhodotorula glutinis isolated from soil and grown on molasses, were determined. The major constituent fatty acids were: palmitic (37%) oleic (47%) and linoleic (8%). The major sterols were campesterol (42%) and stigmasterol (27%) and the major hydrocarbons were n‐C23 (37%), iso‐C29 (30%) and n‐C21 (19%). Minor constituents in each class of lipids were also detected and estimated. The oil produced was 54% on a dry weight basis. The fatty acid composition was found to be close to that of palm oil.