Sustainable enzymatic approaches in a fungal lipid biorefinery based in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as carbon source

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2019-03, Vol.276, p.269-275
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Ana Karine F., Bento, Heitor B.S., Reis, Cristiano E.R., De Castro, Heizir F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocatalysis; Biorefinery; Microbial lipid; Sugarcane-bagasse hydrolysate
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.12.118

[Display omitted] •Sugarcane-bagasse hydrolysate was used as a platform for a fungal-based biorefinery.•Sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate was prepared by enzymatic route.•The oleaginous fungus Mucor circinelloides is able to convert glucose and xylose into SCO.•SCO can be used as supplier for energy and nutraceutical products. Single cell oil (SCO) was produced from enzymatically hydrolysed sugarcane bagasse by Mucor circinelloides. The fungus was cultured in the hydrolysate medium rich in glucose and xylose being able to assimilate both sugars simultaneously, attaining satisfactory values of lipid accumulation (25 wt%). The main concepts addressed herein were the utilization of these lipids for the production of (i) ethyl esters of fuel grade, and (ii) concentrate of polyunsaturated fatty acids for nutraceutical applications. It was noticed that the fungal lipids also contained carotenoids and that the fungal biomass presented lipolytic activity. The concept of integrating an M. circinelloides-based biorefinery into the sugarcane energy matrix may, thus, present a relevant alternative for the production of high value-added products.