Lipid production by Rhodosporidium toruloides cultures grown on lignocellulose pretreated using pressurized ammonia ball milling

Authors: Dien, Bruce; Thompson, Stephanie; Slininger, Patricia - Pat; SINGH, VIJAY - University Of Illinois; LOPES, DAIANE - Orise Fellow

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rhodosporidium toruloides is a leading yeast for conversion of lignocellulosic sugars into single cell oils. Single cell oils are expected to be suitable as a feedstock for biodiesel and sustainable jet fuel production. However, production of unrefined sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is always challenging because specific organic chemicals created and/or released when processing the biomass for sugars are biological inhibitors. Here, we describe a new pretreatment technology based on pressurized ammonia ball milling (PAM) and its application to a variety of sources of biomass including switchgrass and sugarcane bagasse. Sugar concentrations in excess of 100 g/L are produced following digestion with cellulases at high solids. The unrefined sugars were shown to be readily “fermentable” by R. toruloides. Batch yeast cultures exceeded 30 g/L of total dry weight and 10 g/L of lipids without an excess lag phase, which is often observed for other unrefined sugars prepared from lignocellulose. Results demonstrate the utility of this ammonia based pretreatment for producing convenient fermentable sugars from herbaceous biomass.