A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON DATE SYRUP (DIPS) AS SUBSTRATE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BAKER'S YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE)

The suitability of date syrup (Dips) as a substrate for the production of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was examined and compared with molasses substrate as a reference. With regard to nutrient content, Dips compares very well with molasses in this respect. Dips contains more sugars, biotin and pantothenic acid than molasses, about similar contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium, about half the content of potassium (but still enough for baker’s yeast production), and much less m-Inositol. Like molasses, Dips contains some compounds toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae including formic, acetic and propionic acid, while other toxic compounds occasionally found in molasses such as nitrite, sulfite and butyric acid were not detected in Dips. Addition of molasses to Dips at 1:1 ratio will bring the end concentration of formic acid to values below toxicity level. Hence, Dips can be used at 50% of the substrate for production of baker’s yeast, which is a reasonable amount of utilization.