Microbial lipids from organic wastes: Outlook and challenges

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2021-03, Vol.323, p.124612-124612, Article 124612
• Main Authors: Tomás-Pejó, E., Morales-Palomo, S., González-Fernández, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofuels; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Lipids; Microbial oils; Oils; Oleaginous microorganisms; Organic waste valorization; Single cell oils
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124612

•SCOs are interesting bioproducts to be applied in different industrial sectors.•To use of alternative carbon sources is crucial for the profitability of the SCOs.•Lignocellulosic sugars, VFAs and glycerol are alternative substrates for SCOs.•Lipid yields from low-cost carbon sources are increased by synthetic biology tools.•Downstream processes are decisive for the effectiveness of the SCO production. Microbial lipids have recently drawn a lot of attention as renewable sources for biochemicals production. Strong research efforts have been addressed to efficiently use organic wastes as carbon source for microbial lipids, which would definitively increase the profitability of the production process and boost a bio-based economy. This review compiles interesting traits of oleaginous microorganisms and highlights current trends on microbial- and process-oriented approaches to maximize microbial oil production from inexpensive substrates like lignocellulosic sugars, volatile fatty acids and glycerol. Furthermore, downstream processes such as cell harvesting or lipid extraction, that are decisive for the cost-effectiveness of the process, are discussed. To underpin microbial oils within the so demanded circular economy, associated challenges, recent advances and possible industrial applications that are also identified in this review.