Indian researchers study lipid production potential of fungi

Biodiesel Magazine
By Erin Voegele
June 07, 2012

A research paper published in the peer reviewed journal Microbial Cell Factories shows that single-cell oils accumulated by oleaginous fungi have potential for use as a biodiesel feedstock. According to the paper, these fungi could be used to produce single-cell oils from lignocellulosic biomass. The study addressed in the paper was competed by researchers from the University of Pune in India and involved the investigation of 14 strains of fungi, which were isolated from the mangrove wetlands along the west coast of India.

According to the paper, the cells of the fungi were investigated with respect to oleaginicity, cell mass, lipid content, fatty acid methyl ester profiles and physicochemical properties of transesterified single-cell oils. These factors were described as being useful in exploring their potential for biodiesel production.

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