Abstract
Much literature is available on fungal lipids and their capability as a renewable oil platform for alternate fuels, chemicals, and food products. Microbial oils will not displace all edible oils soon, given techno-economical hurdles in commercialization. However, continued research & development can flatten the curve of deforestation and land-use impacts associated with cultivating these crops. To better understand how oleaginous yeasts and fungi could alleviate the challenges related to the energy-environment-food nexus, it becomes critical to investigate their potential environmental impacts quantitively compared to other feedstocks. Life cycle analysis or assessment (LCA) is a standard tool used for this purpose. LCA studies are not being conducted on a broader scale for fungus-derived oils than their phototrophic algal counterparts. The different stages in the life cycle of fungal lipid production that can be analyzed for environmental implications include cultivation and fermentation, oil extraction; further downstream processing; and end-use. The LCA method for fungal lipid-derived biofuel production systems should cover the main sustainability concerns of biofuel production systems: energy efficiency, climate change, and land occupation. With the scope of microbial oil applications expanding beyond non-fuel encompassing food, supplements, and medicines, their subsequent environmental implications need to be investigated. Further work is required in this area. There are significant knowledge gaps in life cycle inventory and impact assessment information for non-fuel applications.
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