Biodiesel production from a newly isolated Pichia kudriavzevii strain

The present report describes the isolation of oleaginous yeast, Pichia kudriavzevii MTCC 5493, from rotten fruits and the production of biodiesel from the yeast oil. Optimization of physiological and nutritional parameters was carried out for improved biomass production using cheap substrates such as crude glycerol, yeast autolysate and corn steep liquor. Fed-batch fermentation yielded a dry biomass and oil yield of up to 33 g L−1 and 19% (w/w) respectively and was scaled up successfully to 26 L. Optimization of the C/N ratio further increased the oil yield to 23% (w/w). The oil extraction process was also optimized using environmentally safe solvents. The oil profile indicated a high oleic acid content followed by palmitic, linoleic acid, and stearic acid. The presence of increased levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the oil make it ideal for biodiesel.