Simultaneous degradation of hydrocarbons and production of valuable compounds by Yarrowia lipolytica

Abstract

Hydrocarbons are dangerous pollutants and great amounts of these compounds are released to the environment, due to the inadequate handling in the petroleum extraction or in the effluents of industries that use petroleum or its derivatives. The ability of Yarrowia lipolytica to efficiently degrade hydrocarbons (herein demonstrated with hexadecane and hexadecene) and use them as carbon source to grow and produce valuable compounds was demonstrated. In hexadecane-based medium, Y. lipolytica W29 cells were able to accumulate up to 16 % of their cellular dry weight as intracellular lipids. Due to its composition, similar to that of vegetable oils, these microbial lipids can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. Moreover, the simultaneous production of lipase (2730 U·L-1), which market demand is increasing due to its application in the field of bioenergy, represents an economic advantage. Thus, it is possible to valorize wastes contaminated with hydrocarbons with this bioprocess.