Qualitative and Quantitative Estimation of Bacterial Lipid Production

An ever increasing energy demand and fast depletion of fossil fuels have led to increased consideration of bacterial lipids as a renewable biofuel source. Many methods are available for both physical and chemical extraction of bacterial lipids. The method of choice will depend on the nature of sample to be analyzed, combinations of solvent systems preferred, content and quality of the lipid to be analyzed, types of equipment available, and time of the extraction procedures employed. Here we describe the most reliable, routine method of extracting bacterial lipids and evaluating the growth kinetic parameters like biomass and lipid productivity and lipid content. We also describe the method of comparing bacterial fatty acid methyl ester peaks with standard peaks for analysis.