PROCESS FOR THE CO-PRODUCTION OF CHITIN, ITS DERIVATIVES AND POLYMERS CONTAINING GLUCOSE, MANNOSE AND/OR GALACTOSE, BY THE FERMENTATION OF THE YEAST PICHIA PASTORIS

摘要

This invention concerns a process for the co-production of glucosamine polymers (chitin, chitosan or any of its derivatives) and polymers containing glucose, mannose and/or galactose, by the high cell density fermentation of the yeast Pichia pastoris in a bioreactor under aerobic conditions, preferably using glycerol byproduct from the biodiesel industry as carbon source. Pure glycerol, pure methanol, glycerol-rich or methanol rich mixtures may also be used as carbon sources. The present invention also concerns P. pastoris fermentation process duly optimized for attaining high cell densities and high cell wall chitin content, as well as polymers containing glucose, mannose and/or galactose.