Abstract
Background: Lipids are an increasingly important chemical feedstock for the manufacture of biofuels, bioplastics, care products and as a food source. Developing sustainable sources of lipids, derived from oleaginous microbes, is therefore a key scientific challenge. Methodology: Design of Experiments was used to optimize the lipid production and lipid profile. Results: Here we successfully apply Design of Experiments to optimize the lipid profile in Rhodotorula glutinis to tailor the fatty acid profile. A high culture temperature and high nitrogen ratio yielded a mainly monounsaturated oil, while low temperatures and high glucose loadings gave a more saturated profile. Conclusions: On transesterification, the oil high in monounsaturated esters yielded biodiesel with fuel properties akin to rapeseed methyl ester, whereas the oil high in saturates was found to be suitable as a substitute for palm oil.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 33-43 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Biofuels |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 9 Apr 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 Apr 2014 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Optimizing the lipid profile, to produce either a palm oil or biodiesel substitute, by manipulation of the culture conditions for Rhodotorula glutinis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Chris Chuck
- Department of Chemical Engineering - Professor
- Reaction and Catalysis Engineering research unit (RaCE)
- Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT)
- Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC)
- Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff