Valorizing a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase through co-production of chemicals and lipids using the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2020 · Bioresource Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123639· OSTI ID:1634772

Cordova, Lauren T. ^[1]; Lad, Beena C. ^[1]; Ali, Sabah A. ^[1]; Schmidt, Andrew J. ^[2]; Billing, Justin M. ^[2]; Pomraning, Kyle R. ^[2]; Hofstad, Beth A. ^[2]; Swita, Marie S. ^[2]; Collett, James R. ^[2]; Alper, Hal S. ^[1]

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1. University of Texas at Austin
2. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)

Hydrothermal liquefaction is a promising technology to upgrade wet organic waste into a biocrude oil for diesel or jet fuel; however, this process generates an acid-rich aqueous phase which poses disposal issues. This hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP) contains organic acids, phenol, and other toxins. This work demonstrates that Y. lipolytica as a unique host to valorize HTL-AP into a variety of co-products. Specifically, strains of Y. lipolytica can tolerate HTL-AP at 10% in defined media and 25% in rich media. The addition of HTL-AP enhances production of the polymer precursor itaconic acid by 3-fold and the polyketide triacetic acid lactone at least 2-fold. Additional co-products (lipids and citric acid) were produced in these fermentations. Finally, bioreactor cultivation enabled 21.6 g/L triacetic acid lactone from 20% HTL-AP in mixed sugar hydrolysate. These results demonstrate the first use of Y. lipolytica in HTL-AP valorization toward production of a portfolio of value-added compounds.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1634772
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-153615
• Journal Information: Bioresource Technology, Journal Name: Bioresource Technology Vol. 313
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English