Production of lipids for bioconversion to biodiesel using crude glycerol as a raw material and employing new isolated microorganisms

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Crude glycerol is generated as a by-product of biodiesel production activity. Approximately, the glycerol produced is equal to 10% of the biodiesel produced. At present, crude glycerol is considered as a waste and biodiesel producers are looking different ways to dispose/recycle their glycerol. Thus, there is an urgent need to invent and implement a sustainable use of crude glycerol. If the glycerol can be recycled to generate lipids which could be used by the producer at the same site (at which glycerol is produced), it would help biodiesel producers boost their economy. Therefore, the principal objective of the present research is to develop an economical process for lipids (single cell oil) production using crude glycerol (of Biocardel) as a raw material using high lipid accumulating hyperactive microbial strains, isolated in our laboratory. Our preliminary cost estimate conducted in collaboration with our industrial partner on this project revealed that the cost of lipid production was approximately 300-400$ per tone, which meets the requirement of the industrial partner in their production plan. The specific objectives of the project include: analysis of glycerol; different concentrations of glycerol (4-15%w/v); sterilized versus non-sterilized glycerol shall be tested for lipid production; impact of impurities in crude glycerol on microbial growth and lipid accumulation; demonstration of lipid production at 15L, 150L and 2000L scale at optimized conditions; identification of secondary metabolites in the fermentation supernatant; extraction of oil/lipids from biomass with homogenizer (under pressure) and conversion to biodiesel and nutritive value of de-fatted biomass; and final cost estimation. Furthermore, this research is very timely and will aid Canadian industry to develop eco-friendly and commercially viable biodiesel strengthening Canada's environmental policy. 1 MSc and 1 research associate will be trained in this project.