Author: Prak Bhargav
Bhargav, Prak, 2023 Evaluation of suitability of novel Schizochytrium.sp strain for biodiesel and high value PUFAs Production, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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Marine oleaginous microbes are considered as a promising source for the sustainable production of biofuels such as biodiesel and high value polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibre, minerals, and vitamins. These bio-actives have potential applications in different industries (i.e., nutraceuticals, food, animal feed and cosmetics). Biomass, oil and fatty acid yields dictate the suitability of these oleaginous microbes for commercialization. In this study growth conditions of a novel thraustochytrid strain were optimised using different carbon sources for improving biomass, lipid and fatty acid profile, to evaluate its suitability for biodiesel production. The potential of Schizocytrium.sp WT (wild type) and a Schizochytrium.sp isolate (M164) were tested for the extraction of lipids and various commercially high value products. Various carbon sources (glucose, glycerol, maltose and sucrose ) at different concentrations (3%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12%) were tested. A maximum biomass of 27.3 g/L and lipid yield of 21.91% in M164 using glycerol as carbon source were obtained. While a maximum biomass of 23.92 g/L and lipid yield of 21.91% in glucose as carbon source were obtained. Different combination of solvents were conducted to assist in gaining higher saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and essential fatty acids by using different mixtures of polar and non-polar solvents. It was found that higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) up to 85% of the total fatty acids (TFA) was obtained from M164 Schizochytrium.sp isolate. This study supports that thraustochytrids could be employed for SFA extraction, the fatty acids suitable for biodiesel purposes.
Keywords: Biodiesel, Bicircular circular economy, Sustainability, Economic Cultivation of microalgae, Saturated fatty acid production
Subject: Biotechnology thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2023
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Dr Munish Puri