The aim of the study was to compare the growth and biomass yield efficiency of baker’s, wine and brewing yeast strains on cane molasses using different nitrogen sources. Biochemical composition of cane molasses was assayed before it was used for the growth of the yeast strains. The result indicated that, biochemical composition of cane molasses was in the acceptable value. Following biochemical analysis, the three yeast strains were cultured in YPD medium and in different cane molasses concentrations, 5% (w/v), (10% w/v) and (15% w/v), using different nitrogen sources to compare biomass production and growth rate efficiency of these strains. The result revealed that biomass production and growth kinetics was higher in 10 % (w/v) and 15% (w/v) sugar concentration of baker’s yeast than the others. However, in 5% (w/v) substrate sugar concentration, wine yeast showed higher biomass production and growth kinetics than the rest of the other strains. In addition, results of the study showed that, biomass yield and growth kinetics of the three strains were significantly affected by the type of nitrogen source used. High yield of biomass and growth rate was achieved in fermentation medium containing 2 % (w/v) ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4. However, potassium nitrate (KNO3) had suppressive effect. From the result of this study, it is concluded that yeast biomass production can be industrialized using baker’s yeast strain, 10 % to 15% (w/v) cane molasses sugar concentration as a substrate and ammonium sulphate as a nitrogen source.
