In my research, I am investigating chitin extraction from fungal organisms using separate hydrolysis and fermentation to grow the fungal/yeast organisms. I am also using steam-exploded sugarcane bagasse and molasses as a carbon source in fermentation (the molasses is to dilute the inhibitory compounds formed during steam explosion from degradation of the components within the bagasse), but I need organisms that have a reliable chitin content. Can anyone suggest organisms I could use?
You should have a greater level of chitin in mycelium of fungi growing as hyphae. than yeast-like fungi where it's typically limited to the bug scar.
You might get 10-20% of the cell wall as chitin - not commonly as fungal dry weight. However, the easiest to access are basidiocarps such as mushrooms for which 10% might be achieved. What method so you propose for "extraction"?
Yeasts are fungi and not a distinct taxonomic group.
For reliable chitin content around 10–20%, Zygomycete fungi like Mucor rouxii and Rhizopus oryzae are the best options, especially when using sugarcane bagasse and molasses as substrates. Yeasts generally have much lower chitin levels, making filamentous fungi preferable for extraction.
Abdelhak Maghchiche thank you, could you maybe recommend a Mucor rouxii strain that has a good chitin content?
Mucor rouxii strains, especially from 2-day-old cultures suitable for chitin extraction using sugarcane bagasse and molasses substrates. These strains are well-studied and produce quality chitin/chitosan with good antimicrobial properties.
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