Effect of keratin on the lipid composition of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (Bainier)

Lipid content and composition of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis cultured with or without its natural substrate keratin was investigated. Lipid content was found to be lower in the presence of keratin (maximum 12% against 19% in the absence of keratin), with differences in levels of linoleic acid (C18 = 2), palmitic (C16:0) and to a lesser extent palmitoleic (C16 = 1) and alpha-linolenic (C18 = 3) acids. The degree of unsaturation was correspondingly lower in the organisms cultured with keratin as substrate.