Utilization of substrates during batch growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens on olive oil, lard, and mutton tallow

Summary

Similar amounts of cell-associated and cell-free lipase activities were present in log phase cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens growing on fatty substrates. The rates of triglyceride hydrolysis and fatty acid utilization were balanced as free fatty acids remained at low concentrations in the culture media at all times. The time required for growth initiation and optimal growth rates of P. fluorescens were similar on olive oil, lard and mutton tallow, provided the coalesced solid fats were mechanically dispersed during the initial stages of cultivation. Although olive oil was completely consumed at the end of cultivation, substantial amounts of tri- and diglycerides, presumably bearing saturated acyl residues, remained in lard culture and, to a lesser extent, in mutton tallow culture.