Dual-stage biorefinery to convert spentwash hydrolysate into oleochemicals using Trichosporon cutaneum and Yarrowia lipolytica

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2022-06, Vol.354, p.127146-127146, Article 127146
• Main Authors: V Sreeharsha, Rachapudi, Sai Tejaswini, G, Venkata Mohan, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonium toxicity; Biodiesel; Fatty acid methyl esters; Lipids; Oleaginous yeast; Sulphates
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127146

[Display omitted] •Distillery spentwash (SW) was used to produce lipids and VFAs by oleaginous yeasts.•Trichosporon cutaneum produced 29.8% and 0.89 g/L lipids with acid hydrolysed SW.•Dual-stage fermentation enhanced lipid productivity by 15% in Tc.•Effect of sulphates and ammonium on lipid biosynthesis was elucidated.•A biorefinery framework was elucidated to enable circular chemistry using yeast. Yeast lipids from low-cost renewable feedstock are valuable resources for oleochemicals thus enabling circular chemistry. Current study focuses on lipid and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production through dual-stage fermentation of spentwash in a biorefinery framework with Trichosporon cutaneum (Tc) and Yarrowia lipolytica (Yl). During cell proliferation phase, Tc and Yl accumulated 2.9 and 2.5 g/L of dry biomass respectively in acid-hydrolysed spentwash (AHSW) and produced 16 and 5.5 g/L of total VFA respectively. Lipid yields (29.8%) and lipid titres (0.89 g/L) were higher in Tc/AHSW, when compared to Yl indicating the efficacy of Tc in spentwash bioremediation. Lipid accumulation was enhanced to 35% in Tc/AHSW, in presence of 0.05% NH4Cl due to oxidative stress of ammonium ions. Analysis of fatty acid composition revealed the presence of higher oleic acid, which is ideal for biodiesel production. The results demonstrate a sustainable biorefinery model for bioremediation of spentwash and its value addition.