Current microbial biorefineries, for producing biofuels and bioproducts, are predominantly based around single feedstock sources, extensively hydrolysed using multiple unit operations. The hydrolysate is then generally fermented to produce a single product by one of a few well-characterised organisms. In this paper, we report on a new approach to this concept, combining a rapid, microwave-heated, one-step depolymerisation process, with an oleaginous non-saccharomyces yeast. The yeast, <i>Metschnikowia pulcherrima, </i>can metabolise an array of oligo- and monosaccharides, has excellent inhibitor tolerance and produces an array of anti-microbials. This allows lower fermentation costs and by dovetailing the biological side to the chemical processing, we can access a vast range of biomass sources, including agricultural residues, industrial food wastes and macroalgae. We demonstrate that by removing multiple unit operations, the potential cost of the lipid is reduced substantially and provides a suitable route to lipids and other higher value components such as protein and 2-phenylethanol. This approach could lead to a new generation of biorefineries where inexpensive feedstock processing coupled with more flexible microbial platforms reduces the cost of microbial biofuels.

Future, feedstock agnostic, biorefineries for the production of lipid and higher value products through an integrated microwave and biological process

255th National Meeting (2018)

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