• Ms Ayesha Shaikh
• Dr Arjumanara Surti

Over the past few years, there has been a surge in interest in microbial lipids as potential raw materials for biodiesel production. Oleaginous yeast species are being considered as an alternative for the production of lipids or triacylglycerides (TAGs). These yeasts are usually non-pathogenic and have the potential to store high amounts of TAGs ranging from 20% to 80% of their cell weight depending on the culture conditions in the form of lipid bodies in the cell. The utilization of industrial byproducts as carbon sources is a viable option for low-cost lipid fermentation with oleaginous microorganisms on a large scale. The present study aimed to screen oleaginous yeast strains from diverse environmental sources and select the strain that accumulated the largest quantity of lipids using crude glycerol as a carbon source and corn steep liquor (CSL) as a nitrogen source. GC-MS analysis showed that the procured crude glycerol sample from a biodiesel plant in Maharashtra has 70.2% glycerol. Through the initial screening process, a total of 35 yeast strains were isolated from different environmental samples using pure glycerol as a carbon source, 29 yeast strains were determined as oleaginous yeast by Sudan Black B staining. Sudan Black B staining revealed the presence of lipid inclusion bodies in the cells during cultivation under nitrogen-limiting conditions. The lipid content of these 29 oleaginous yeast strains was then compared in a crude glycerol-based medium having a C: N ratio of 10:1. The result indicated that selected 29 oleaginous yeast strains can grow on crude glycerol and produce lipids that can be used as raw materials for the production of biodiesel. The oleaginous yeast (IS001) isolated from Dockyard seawater showed the highest lipid accumulation reaching 64.61% of lipid content. C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, and C18:2 essential fatty acids for biodiesel production were detected by GC-MS in the lipid accumulated by this strain. This study provides a scientific basis for adopting crude glycerol as an effective carbon source for lipid production which will reduce costs and promote waste recycling.

Crude glycerol; Lipid; Oleaginous yeast; Sudan Black B; GC-MS; Biodiesel.

""Exploring Oleaginous Yeasts from Diverse Environmental Sources for Biodiesel Production Using Crude Glycerol: Isolation, Characterization, and Lipid Analysis." ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no.c577-c585, May-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405271.pdf

""Exploring Oleaginous Yeasts from Diverse Environmental Sources for Biodiesel Production Using Crude Glycerol: Isolation, Characterization, and Lipid Analysis." ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no. ppc577-c585, May-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405271.pdf