Valorizing a hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase through co-production of chemicals and lipids using the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cordova, Lauren T.; Lad, Beena C.; Ali, Sabah A.; Schmidt, Andrew J.; Billing, Justin M.; Pomraning, Kyle; Hofstad, Beth; Swita, Marie S.; Collett, James R.; Alper, Hal S.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 313(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase -- Yarrowia lipolytica -- Co-production; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Y. lipolytica can uniquely tolerate Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase. Tolerance levels of up to 10% in defined media and 25% in rich media. Sub-toxic levels enhance itaconic acid and triacetic acid lactone titers. 21.6 g/L triacetic acid lactone from lignocellulosic hydrolysate and Aqueous Phase. Abstract: Hydrothermal liquefaction is a promising technology to upgrade wet organic waste into a biocrude oil for diesel or jet fuel; however, this process generates an acid-rich aqueous phase which poses disposal issues. This hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP) contains organic acids, phenol, and other toxins. This work demonstrates that Y. lipolytica as a unique host to valorize HTL-AP into a variety of co-products. Specifically, strains of Y. lipolytica can tolerate HTL-AP at 10% in defined media and 25% in rich media. The addition of HTL-AP enhances production of the polymer precursor itaconic acid by 3-fold and the polyketide triacetic acid lactone at least 2-fold. Additional co-products (lipids and citric acid) were produced in these fermentations. Finally, bioreactor cultivation enabled 21.6 g/L triacetic acid lactone from 20% HTL-AP in mixed sugar hydrolysate. These results demonstrate the first use of Y. lipolytica in HTL-AP valorization toward production of a portfolio of value-added compounds.