Evaluating low-cost substrates for Crypthecodinium cohnii lipids and DHA production, by flow cytometry

Abstract

Crypthecodinium cohnii growth was studied on pure carbon sources (glucose, acetate, glycerol) and low-cost complex carbon sources (sugarcane molasses, crude glycerol and vinegar effluent) for lipid and DHA production. Among the pure substrates, glucose induced the highest lipid content (14.75% w/w DCW) and DHA content (7.14 mg g−1 DCW). Among the low-cost substrates, the highest lipid and DHA content were observed for the crude glycerol assay (14.7% w/w DCW and 6.56 mg g−1, respectively). Molasses induced the highest proportion of DHA of total fatty acids (49.58% w/w TFA) among all the substrates studied. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the vinegar effluent induced the highest proportion of C. cohnii cells with injured membrane (92.8%). These results foresee the possibility of using these low-cost substrates at a larger scale for C. cohnii DHA and biodiesel production, aiming at zero wastes and process costs reduction.