Modulation of yeast oil production by Pseudozyma parantarctica CHC28 using xylose and organic acids and its conversion feasibility to bio-polyurethane foam

Abstract

Bio-based oil resources are key raw materials for sustainable bio-polyurethane (BPU) foam production, while yeast oil (YO) is an interesting material to replace vegetable oils in BPU foam formation. Enhancement of YO production performance has recently attracted increased interest using oleaginous yeast Pseudozyma parantarctica CHC28, performed in a xylose-based oil production medium (X-OPM). The fatty acid profiles of YO were determined, and the feasibility of YO conversion to BPU foam was investigated. Results showed that initial xylose concentration in X-OPM significantly influenced growth and YO production of CHC28. Highest biomass and YO were obtained as 11.86 ± 0.23 and 3.36 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively, at 40 g/L xylose. Xylose utilization increased YO formation by 24.4% compared to glucose at similar initial concentration. YO production was negatively affected under co-carbon source cultivation, while using different glucose and xylose mixing ratios did not affect yeast growth and YO production. Adding 1 g/L acetic acid enhanced YO concentration by 30.7%, corresponding to 42.1 ± 2.8% oil content, mainly composed of C:16 and C:18 fatty acids at 87.8%. YO conversion to BPU foam was successfully achieved as an alternate method to synthesize BPU foam.