Economical lipid production from Trichosporon oleaginosus via dissolved oxygen adjustment and crude glycerol addition

Abstract

The effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on lipid accumulation in Trichosporon oleaginosus has been investigated. The experiment was performed in 15 L fermenters. The dissolved oxygen concentration varied by adjusting the agitation and aeration. High dissolved oxygen level at 50%-60% enhanced cell growth. Maintaining low dissolved oxygen concentration at 20%-30% during lipogenesis phase led to high final lipid content (51%) in Trichosporon oleaginosus. The consumptions of energy and cost of the process were evaluated. The energy consumption in the dissolved oxygen level optimized process was 41% less than that with dissolved oxygen level at 50%-60%. In addition, the cost was also reduced around one time in the dissolved oxygen level optimized process compared to the one with dissolved oxygen level at 50%-60%. The study provided a feasible way of enhancing lipid accumulation in Trichosporon oleaginosus and reducing the consumption of energy and cost of lipid production from Trichosporon oleaginosus.

Keywords: Cost; Dissolved oxygen concentration; Energy balance; Lipid accumulation; Lipid content.