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Published on: October 24, 2016
Furfural degradation and its effect on Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588 during microbial growth and lipid accumulation
Carlos S Osorio-González1, Rahul Saini1, Krishnamoorthy Hegde1
1Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, North York, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada.
Abstract:
The presence of furfural in the hydrolysates obtained from lignocellulosic biomass sources represents an enormous challenge during their fermentation because furfural is a toxic compound for different microorganisms. Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588 can grow and accumulate lipids using wood hydrolysate as a substrate containing up to 1 g/L of furfural. In this study, the capacity of R. toruloides-1588 to grow and accumulate lipids using furfural without glucose in the media has been observed. R. toruloides-1588 degraded up to 3 g/L of furfural into furfuryl alcohol (1.8 g/L) and 2-furoic acid (0.9 g/L). Furthermore, R. toruloides-1588 accumulated 52% and 30% of its dry weight into lipids using YM media and YM media without glucose, respectively. Fatty acids such as palmitic, stearic and oleic were the most abundant. Finally, R. toruloides-1588 could potentially utilize furfural as a carbon source.
Insights
Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588 can tolerate and metabolize furfural, a toxic compound found in lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates. This yeast demonstrates potential for lipid accumulation using furfural as a carbon source, even without glucose.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Biorefining
Background:
- Furfural, a toxic byproduct of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis, inhibits microbial fermentation.
- Certain microorganisms, like Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588, show tolerance to furfural and can utilize lignocellulosic hydrolysates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588 to grow and accumulate lipids using furfural as a sole carbon source.
- To determine the degradation products of furfural by R. toruloides-1588.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of R. toruloides-1588 in media containing varying concentrations of furfural.
- Analysis of furfural degradation products using analytical techniques.
- Quantification of lipid accumulation in yeast biomass.
Main Results:
- R. toruloides-1588 degraded up to 3 g/L of furfural into furfuryl alcohol and 2-furoic acid.
- Lipid accumulation reached 52% of dry weight in standard YM media and 30% in YM media without glucose.
- Palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids were the predominant fatty acids identified.
Conclusions:
- Rhodosporidium toruloides-1588 can effectively degrade furfural and utilize it as a carbon source.
- The yeast exhibits significant lipid accumulation capabilities, even in the absence of glucose, highlighting its potential for oleaginous applications.
