Production of lipids for conversion to biodiesel using crude glycerol as a raw material and employing new isolated strains.

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Crude glycerol is generated as a by-product of biodiesel production activity. Approximately, the glycerol generated 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, Biocardel's biodiesel production plant), 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 ton, which meets the requirement of the industrial partner in their production plan. The specific objectives of the project include: bioreactor study to improve oil production, optimization of air supply, fortification of crude glycerol with waste materials as nutrients; characterization of different waste carbon sources to be supplemented as carbon source; fermentation of high soap containing crude glycerol; sterilized versus non-sterilized glycerol shall be tested for lipid production; demonstration of lipid production at 15L, 150L and Biocardel reactor scale at optimized conditions; and final cost estimation. Furthermore, this research is very timely and will aid Canadian industry to develop eco-friendly and commercially viable biodiesel production avenues, strengthening Canada's environmental policy. 2 MSc and 1 research associate will be trained in this project.