Strategic bioprocessing of A. protothecoides and C. sorokiniana using renewable feedstocks for targeted bioproduct and biodiesel generation Show others and affiliations
2025 (English) In: Energy Conversion and Management: X, E-ISSN 2590-1745, Vol. 26, article id 100896Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The focus on sustainability and circular economy renders the microalgal biorefinery concept highly attractive. Although the diversity of microalgal composition makes them ideal feedstocks, their metabolic versatility challenges bioprocess optimization. To address this, an integrated, strain-specific approach was used to evaluate key cultivation parameters (nitrogen source, C/N ratio, and light intensity) as their interactions affect growth performance and biochemical composition. Heterotrophic cultivation of A. protothecoides (AP) and C. sorokiniana (CS) in glucose showed enhanced cell growth with organic N-sources. Biomass was consistently elevated across C/N ratios from 5 to 60 with corn steep liquor (CSL) (8.1 g L-1) and yeast extract (YE) (7.0 g L-1), while with urea it maximized at C/N 5 (6.2 g L-1). Protein synthesis increased at C/N 5, whereas lipid accumulation at C/N 60. Beechwood hydrolysate, a renewable glucose alternative, produced an average of 4.1 g L-1 protein (C/N 5) and 3.5 g L-1 lipids (C/N 60) between YE and CSL. Mixotrophic cultivation indicated better photosynthetic adaptation of AP at C/N 5, yielding 13.2 g L-1 biomass at 400 μmol m-2 s-1, whereas at C/N 60 growth was favored at 50 μmol m-2 s-1. The fatty acid profile of microalgal oil revealed de novo biosynthesis of odd-chain fatty acids at C/N 5 in both cultivation modes, while biodiesel-grade lipids produced in heterotrophic condition. These findings advance microalgal bioprocessing by emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning cultivation strategies and utilizing renewable nutrients to maximize resource efficiency and optimize the biosynthesis of valuable bioproducts, such as proteins, pigments, carbohydrates, and high-quality lipids.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages Elsevier Ltd , 2025. Vol. 26, article id 100896
Keywords [en]
Microalgal biorefinery, Auxenochlorella protothecoides, Chlorella sorokiniana, Biodiesel, Odd-chain fatty acids, Protein, Lignocellulosic hydrolysate
National Category
Bioprocess Technology
Research subject Biochemical Process Engineering
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-111554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100896 Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85215940542 OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-111554 DiVA, id: diva2:1935433
Funder EU, Horizon 2020, 101007130
Note Validerad;2025;Nivå 1;2025-02-06 (u8);
Full text license: CC BY 4.0
2025-02-062025-02-062025-02-06 Bibliographically approved