Two-step optimization process for grass hydrolysate application as biodiesel feedstock with novel quality...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Biodiesel commercialization faces challenges due to high feedstock production costs.
• Oleaginous yeast offers a sustainable solution by converting waste materials into valuable lipids.
• Single-cell oil (SCO) from yeast is a promising alternative feedstock for biodiesel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize SCO production from a selected oleaginous yeast strain.
• To evaluate the potential of yeast-derived lipids for biodiesel production.
• To assess the economic viability of using low-cost substrates for SCO synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of grass hydrolysis for enhanced lipid production.
• Two-stage experimental design for process optimization.
• Substrate pre-treatment using nitric acid (HNO3).
• Lipid analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
• Evaluation of physicochemical properties of produced biodiesel.

Main Results:

• Lipid production increased from 1.96 g/L to 3.85 g/L and lipid content from 22.6% to 35.18% after initial optimization.
• Further optimization using HNO3 pre-treatment resulted in SCO production of 7.28 g/L with 56.39% lipid content.
• GC-MS analysis confirmed a suitable fatty acid profile for biodiesel.
• Biodiesel properties met US and EU standards.

Conclusions:

• Optimized SCO production using oleaginous yeast is a viable strategy to reduce biodiesel feedstock costs.
• Waste material conversion by yeast offers an economically feasible route to sustainable biodiesel.
• The characterized yeast strain and optimized process show high potential for industrial-scale biodiesel production.