Acid Alkyl Esters Research Articles

Combinatorial Design of Molecule using Activity-Linked Substructural Topological Information as Applied to Antitubercular Compounds.

Generating a large number of compounds using combinatorial methods increases the possibility of finding novel bioactive compounds. Although some combinatorial structure generation algorithms are available, any method for generating structures from activity-linked substructural topological information is not yet reported. To develop a method using graph-theoretical techniques for generating structures of antitubercular compounds combinatorially from activity-linked substructural topological information, predict activity and prioritize and screen potential drug candidates. Activity related vertices are identified from datasets composed of both active and inactive or, differently active compounds and structures are generated combinatorially using the topological distance distribution associated with those vertices. Biological activities are predicted using topological distance based vertex indices and a rule based method. Generated structures are prioritized using a newly defined Molecular Priority Score (MPS). Studies considering a series of Acid Alkyl Ester (AAE) compounds and three known antitubercular drugs show that active compounds can be generated from substructural information of other active compounds for all these classes of compounds. Activity predictions show high level of success rate and a number of highly active AAE compounds produced high MPS score indicating that MPS score may help prioritize and screen potential drug molecules. A possible relation of this work with scaffold hopping and inverse Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (iQSAR) problem has also been discussed. The proposed method seems to hold promise for discovering novel therapeutic candidates for combating Tuberculosis and may be useful for discovering novel drug molecules for the treatment of other diseases as well.

Pyro-lytic de-oxygenation of waste cooking oil for green diesel production over Ag2O3-La2O3/AC nano-catalyst

Green diesel derived from deoxygenation technology has been developed to replace instability of fatty acid alkyl ester (biodiesel) due to the presence oxygenated species. Herein, the green diesel was synthesized via catalytic deoxygenation (DO) of waste cooking oil (WCO) over synthesized Ag2O3–La2O3/ACnano catalyst under hydrogen-free environment. Based on the study, the effect of silver (Ag) species (10–30 wt%) towards DO reactivity and product distribution was investigated. It was revealed that the Ag2O3(10%)–La2O3(20%)/ACnano formulation resulted in a higher yield (∼89%) of liquid hydrocarbons with majority of diesel fractions selectivity (n–(C15+C17) at ∼93%. In addition, decarboxylation and decarbonylation reaction processes of the WCO to DO was promoted by the presence of acid and basic active sites on Ag2O3(10%)–La2O3(20%)/ACnano catalyst. The high stability of the Ag2O3(10%)–La2O3(20%)/ACnano catalyst was proven by maintenance of six continuous runs with constant yield (>80%) of hydrocarbons and (>93%) selectivity of n–(C15+C17) under mild reaction conditions.

Alkyl Ferulate Esters as Multifunctional Food Additives: Antibacterial Activity and Mode of Action against Escherichia coli in Vitro.

This work aims to prepare ferulic acid alkyl esters (FAEs) through the lipase-catalyzed reaction between methyl ferulate and various fatty alcohols in deep eutectic solvents and ascertain their antibacterial activities and mechanisms. Screens of antibacterial effects of FAEs against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 ( E. coli) and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 ( L. monocytogenes) revealed that hexyl ferulate (FAC6) exerted excellent bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on E. coli and L. monocytogenes (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 1.6 and 0.1 mM, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC): 25.6 and 0.2 mM, respectively). The antibacterial mechanism of FAC6 against E. coli was systematically studied to facilitate its practical use as a food additive with multifunctionalities. The growth and time-kill curves implied the partial cell lysis and inhibition of the growth of E. coli caused by FAC6. The result related to propidium iodide uptake and cell constituents' leakage (K+, proteins, nucleotides, and β-galactosidase) implied that bacterial cytomembranes were substantially compromised by FAC6. Variations on morphology and cardiolipin microdomains and membrane hyperpolarization of cells visually verified that FAC6 induced cell elongation and destructed the cell membrane with cell wall perforation. SDS-PAGE analysis and alterations of fluorescence spectra of bacterial membrane proteins manifested that FAC6 caused significant changes in constitutions and conformation of membrane proteins. Furthermore, it also could bind to minor grooves of E. coli DNA to form complexes. Meanwhile, FAC6 exhibited antibiofilm formation activity. These findings indicated that that FAC6 has promising potential to be developed as a multifunctional food additive.

Experimental and correlational study of isobaric molar heat capacities of fatty acid esters: Ethyl nonanoate and ethyl dodecanoate

An experimental study on the isobaric molar heat capacities of ethyl nonanoate and ethyl dodecanoate was performed at temperatures between 303 K and 393 K and at pressures between 0.1 MPa and 25.2 MPa. An increase of isobaric molar heat capacity with temperature increase was observed, and temperature was found to have a greater effect on isobaric molar heat capacity than pressure. Then the isobaric molar heat capacity data of 18 saturated fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters in literature were selected, to get a general correlation for the isobaric molar heat capacity of saturated fatty acid alkyl esters. The average absolute relative deviation and the maximum deviation of the present correlation from experimental data are lower than 0.70% and 3.82%, respectively. At last, to test the predictive ability of the proposed correlation, the heat capacities of ethyl nonanoate and ethyl dodecanoate were calculated. The average absolute relative deviation and the maximum deviation from our experimental results are 0.88% and 2.10%, respectively.

Test method for determination of different biodiesels (fatty acid alkyl esters) content in diesel fuel using FTIR-ATR

Abstract A novel procedure that uses FTIR-ATR C O signal area (1690–1800 cm−1) and a standard test method that is used for determination of fatty acid methyl ester in diesel were applied for the quantification of ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, isopenyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, and dodecyl fatty acid esters in diesel. These methods were examined in the range from 0.0 to 30.0 vol% of biodiesel in diesel. The obtained correlation between concentration and FTIR absorption was highly linear (R2 above 0.993, in most cases 0.999). Considering that diesel blends with butanol or higher alcohols with their corresponding fatty acid alkyl ester can satisfy the requirements for use in diesel engines, we tested if such blending would influence the results of those two methods. The results indicate that biodiesel can be quantified for blends with alcohol content up to 9 vol% of the total volume when signal area calibration is used.

Carbon Dioxide Mediated Transesterification of Mixed Triacylglyceride Substrates

Conversion of oil feedstocks to fatty acid alkyl esters is a necessary step to produce biodiesel and other biobased products. These conversion processes must be robust for a number of different fee...

Biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil a potential non-edible feedstock: An overview

Abstract Utilizing renewable feedstock for the production of alternate fuels is a challenging task. The need for finding a new fuel is gaining importance owing to rapid depletion of fossil-fuel resources and fluctuating crude oil price. Alternate fuel must also be environmental friendly, cheap, technically acceptable and abundant. Biodiesel, eco-friendly alternative liquid fuel, are fatty acid alkyl esters produced by chemical or lipase-catalyzed transesterification of fats or oils. It has both economic and environmental benefits in addition to its renewable origin. Feedstocks such as animal fats and vegetable oils play a vital role in biodiesel production. The demand for biodiesel production from non-comestible oil is growing steadily as there are restrictions on the conversion of edible oils into fuels. Hence, researchers are looking for promising newer sources of non-comestible oil which can sustain biodiesel production and use. These attributes have contributed to growing interest on biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil. This study focuses on a promising newer source of non-comestible oil which can sustain biodiesel growth. Various technological options available for the conversion of C. inophyllum oil into biodiesel, their strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. Also, engine performance of the C. inophyllym biodiesel blends is also reviewed.

Demonstration of a Novel Charge-Free Reverse Wormlike Micelle System.

We demonstrate a novel charge-free reverse wormlike micelle (RWLM) consisting of a ternary mixture of a nonionic amphiphilic block copolymer, fatty acid alkyl ester oil, and water under ambient conditions. Nonionic amphiphile tetra-[poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene)]pentaerythrityl ether (TEBPE) self-assembled into spheroid-type micelles in nonaqueous media isopropyl myristate (IPM) with viscosity comparable to that of IPM. The addition of water increases viscosity only slightly up to a certain concentration of water and then drastically, demonstrating the sphere-to-wormlike micelle transition as confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering. Further increase in water decreases the viscosity after attaining a maximum value. The zero shear viscosity (η0) of the 10 wt % TEBPE/IPM system reached the maximum at 2.6 wt % water and ca. 56 Pa·s, which is ∼fivefold higher than that of water. Dynamic rheological measurements on the highly viscous solutions confirmed the viscoelastic behavior and could be described by the Maxwell model. Conductivity, measured in the presence of a conductive probe, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, was found to be higher for viscous samples compared to the nonviscous samples, suggesting the static percolation caused by the RWLM formation. Decrease in η0 and conductivity beyond a maximum suggests the shortening of reverse micelles. A similar behavior has been observed in other fatty acid alkyl ester oils of different alkyl chain lengths. Note that most of the RWLM systems previously reported are based on phosphatidylcholine (PC). Formulation and structure-properties related to non-PC-based RWLMs have been rarely explored. Non-PC-based RWLMs using chemically stable and low-cost synthetic molecules can be applied not only in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics but also in a wide range of applications including drag reduction agents for nonaqueous fluids and as a template for nanomaterial synthesis.

Measurement on the thermal conductivity of five saturated fatty acid ethyl esters components of biodiesel

The utilization of biodiesel, which is considered as a renewable, biodegradable and clean-burning transportation fuel consisting of fatty acid alkyl esters, is a promising way to replace fossil fuels. Thermal conductivity is a very important thermophysical property of the biodiesel. In this work, the liquid thermal conductivity of five saturated fatty acid ethyl esters (ethyl myristate, ethyl laurate, ethyl caprate, ethyl caprylate and ethyl heptanoate) were measured with the temperature ranging within (290.64–393.88) K, (274.73–400.08) K, (270.00–400.44) K, (254.76–400.37) K, (250.38–393.46) K, respectively. The total relative standard uncertainty of the experimental results was estimated to be less than 2% and repeatability was better than ±0.5%. The experimental results of each substance were fitted as a function of temperature. The average absolute relative deviation and maximum absolute relative deviation between the experimental data and calculated results were 0.19% and 0.36% for ethyl myristate, 0.15% and 0.54% for ethyl laurate, 0.17% and 0.38% for ethyl caprate, 0.23% and 0.66% for ethyl caprylate, 0.19% and 0.52% for ethyl heptanoate, respectively.

Easy reuse of magnetic cross-linked enzyme aggregates of lipase B from Candida antarctica to obtain biodiesel from Chlorella vulgaris lipids

In this work, magnetic cross-linked enzyme aggregates (mCLEAs) of CALB (lipase B from Candida antarctica) were prepared and characterized. Moreover, a method for an easy, sustainable and economic extraction of lipids from nitrogen-starved cells of Chlorella vulgaris var L3 was developed. Then, the extracted lipids (oils and free fatty acids, FFAs) were converted to biodiesel using mCLEAs and chemical acid catalysis. Among several lipid extraction methods, saponification was selected given the amount of wet microalgal biomass it can process per unit of time, its low market value, and because it allows for the use of less toxic solvents. A biodiesel conversion of 80.2±4.4% was obtained by chemical catalysis (1h at 100°C) using FFAs and methanol as the alkyl donor. However, a biodiesel conversion of more than 90% (3h at 30°C) was obtained using mCLEAs and methanol. Both chemical and enzymatic catalysts gave biodiesel with similar fatty acid alkyl ester (FAAE) composition. Methanol, at 15% (v/v) or higher concentration, caused a decrease of lipase activity and a concomitant increase in the size of mCLEA aggregates (up to 2μm), as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The magnetic character of the novel biocatalyst permits its easy recovery and reuse, for at least ten consecutive catalytic cycles (retaining 90% of the initial biodiesel conversion), using mild reaction conditions and environmentally-friendly solvents.

Estimation of Physical Constants of Biodiesel-Related Fatty Acid Alkyl Esters: Normal Boiling Point, Critical Temperature, Critical Pressure, and Acentric Factor

A comprehensive study regarding the estimation of normal boiling points, critical temperatures, critical pressures, and acentric factors of biodiesel-related esters is presented. Such properties are crucial for simulations of chemical processes involving biodiesel. Although reliable experimental data are available for some esters, their determination for all the existing biodiesel components is an expensive and cumbersome task. In view of that, this work aimed to investigate the performance of group contribution and corresponding state models in the calculation of these properties. The estimation models were tested in terms of accuracy and of the plausibility of combining experimental and calculated values without violating the expected physical behavior for corresponding pairs of esters and for esters belonging to the same homologous series. The main outcome of this work is a recommendation of the most feasible models for engineering applications.

Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Model Food Waste Biomolecules and Ternary Mixtures under Isothermal and Fast Conditions

We subjected potato starch, casein, and sunflower oil to both isothermal and fast hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), both individually and as ternary mixtures in different proportions. Fast HTL (15 wt % biomass loading, 600 °C set-point temperature, 1 min) of sunflower oil produced the highest biocrude yield (91 wt %), followed by casein (23 wt %) and potato starch (19 wt %). Up to 21% of the phosphorus and 57% of the nitrogen in casein are distributed to the aqueous phase after fast HTL and can potentially be recovered as fertilizer for growing more food. Fast HTL (600 °C, 1 min) provided higher biocrude energy recoveries than did isothermal HTL (350 °C, 60 min) for all three feedstocks. Potato starch showed the greatest increase in energy recovery with fast (46%) vs isothermal (32%) HTL, and fast HTL of the ternary mixture rich in potato starch produced biocrude with the largest higher heating value (HHV) (42 MJ/kg). The results indicate that fast HTL is particularly beneficial for polysaccharides compared to the other biomolecules. Biocrude yields produced from fast HTL of ternary model mixtures were within two standard deviations of the yields estimated on the basis of individual biomolecules. The presence of pyrrolidines, pyrazines, fatty acid alkyl esters, and fatty acid amides indicate that chemical reactions occur between molecules derived from the different feedstocks during HTL of mixtures.

Production of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil: A Review

Biodiesel is a liquid transportation fuel that can be produced from renewable raw material such as waste cooking oil. The use of cooking oil as raw material for biodiesel production will enhance the viability of the food industry. Biodiesel, and the process is called transesterification. It is a chemical process in which a triglyceride in the vegetable oils and fat reacts with alcohol in the presence of a strong acid or base to produce a mixture of fatty acids alkyl esters (FAAE) and glycerol. Technologies of transesterification of vegetable oils into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) called biodiesel, have been experimentally established and are well documented in the open literature. But, no previous work using ultrasonic tubular reactor in biodiesel process was explored. This study will provide useful data for society in the biodiesel process.<div><br></div>

Cloud point and crystallization in fatty acid ethyl ester biodiesel mixtures with and without additives

Biodiesels, composed of saturated fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE), have relatively high cloud points (CP), which limit their commercial application. However, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) have potentially advantageous properties, including those related to cold flow, compared to their methyl analogs. This work systematically evaluates FAEE cloud point and crystallization data to aid in the development of FAEE biodiesel blends with practical cold flow properties. Neat FAEE CP increases with alkyl-chain length and decreases with greater degree of unsaturation. Mixtures of saturated/saturated FAEE show partial cocrystallization, which impact the mixture’s CP. The effects of cold-flow improving additives dimethyl azelate (DMAz) and triacetin on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and FAEE are also analyzed. Additives lowered the overall CP, however the degree of depression for each additive varied indicating different crystallization mechanisms. Thermodynamic ideal solution modeling predicts binary FAEE CP with and without additives within 2% of experimental values.

CALCIUM CARBONATE EFFECT ON ALKYL ESTERS AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITIES DURING OLIVE PROCESSING

The effect of coadjuvants during olive oil processing on the oxidative enzymes and the content of fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) has been investigated. Two Italian olive cultivars, at different ripening degree, were processed immediately after harvesting or after 5 and 12 days of storage. The results highlighted a general decrease of FAAE and a significant increase in the PPO and POD activities due to the coadjuvant use. The increased oxidases activity could lead to a reduction of oils phenolic compounds.

Effect of Catalyst Pellet-Diameter and Basicity on Transesterification of Soybean Oil into Biodiesel using K2O/CaO-ZnO Catalyst over Hybrid Catalytic-Plasma Reactor

This research is aimed to study the effect of catalyst pellet-diameter and catalyst basicity on the transesterification process of soybean oil into biodiesel over a hybrid catalytic-plasma reactor. Various catalyst diameters (3, 5, and 7 mm) were tested in this reaction system. Catalyst basicity was also examined by comparing fresh and used catalyst as well as with and without K2O promoter. All catalysts testing were performed in a hybrid plasma-catalytic reactor (dielectric barrier discharge – DBD type). From the results, the synergistic effects roles of the catalyst and the plasma in the transesterification process are important, in which the energetic electrons within plasma assist the reaction on the catalyst surface by an exciting bonded electron. The catalyst basicity was influenced by the composition of CaO on the catalyst as well as roles of the alkaline K2O promoter. Catalyst basicity is important in producing biodiesel with high performance. Yield of fatty acid alkyl ester (FAAE) or biodiesel is slightly influenced by the catalyst diameter within the range of diameter studied.

Establishing optimal conditions for catalytic obtaining of allyl-1,3,4-trimethylcyclohex-3-encarboxylate

Kinetics of the reaction of the catalytic cyclic addition of 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene and allyl methacrylate by the Diels-Alder reaction was studied. Reaction rate constants k=0.9·10 -3 l/(mol·s) at T=303 K; k=1.6·10 -3 l/(mol·s) at T=313 K; k=2.3·1 -3 l/(mol·s) at T=323 K; k=2.9·10 -3 l/(mole·s at T=333 K and the activation parameters of the reaction E akt =32.6 kJ/mol, ΔS=−203.7 J/(mol·K), ΔH=30.0 kJ/mol were determined. Influence of temperature, molar ratio of reagents and catalyst on the yield of the target product was investigated. At temperature increase from 303 to 333 K, ATMCGC yield increases from 58 % to 76 %. With further increase in temperature, DMB boils and AMA remains in a liquid state, accordingly it is not expected that the target product yield will materially increase. An increase in the excess of DMB:AMA=from 1.5:1 to 4:1 makes it possible to increase yield of ATMCGC from 54 % to 76 %. According to decreasing of the catalytic activity in the reactions of [4+2]-cyclic addition of DMB and esters of acrylic acids, the catalysts are placed in an order: Ag n.p. >Cu 2 Cl 2 >Pd n.p. >Au n.p. . At the established optimal conditions of catalytic production of allyl-1,3,4-trimethylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylate are: temperature of 323−333 K and molar ratio of reagents DMB:AMA=4:1 in the presence of Ag n.p. catalyst (0.25 % mol), the yield of ATMCGC reaches 72−76 % at productivity of 111−117 g/(l/h). Based on the obtained reaction rate constants and the activation parameters of the catalytic [4+2]-cyclic addition of 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene and allyl methacrylate, it was found that the reaction under study is subject to the kinetic law of the second order. It was established that in the presence of Agn.p. catalyst, the reaction of [4+2]-cyclic addition of 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene and esters of acrylic acids proceeds through a two-stage mechanism with the initial stage of formation of a catalytic complex which activates the reaction by reducing its energy barrier by 44 kJ/mol. The synthesized alkyl esters of alkylcyclohexenecarbonic acids have the ability of polymerization and can be used as a raw material for preparation of polymeric materials, compositions and hyper plasticizers for concrete mixtures. Polymer compositions made with allyl-1,3,4-trimethylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylate are recommended for manufacture of contact lenses and artificial crystalline lenses

Extraction of bio - oil rich in omega 3-6 fatty acid using different methods from heterotrophic marine microalga Schizochytrium mangrovei

In recent years, producing bio-oil from microalgae has gained increasing interest. Schizochytrium mangrovei is a heterotrophic marine microalga that is capable of producing high levels of biomass and lipid. In this study, S. mangrovei strain TB17 was investigated for production of bio-oil consist of omega 3-6 fatty acids using different methods, including a one-stage (direction transesterification of biomass) or a two-stage method (crude oil extraction followed by transesterification). In the one-stage method, omega 3-6 fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) extracted from dried biomass reached to 96.36% of total fatty acids (TFA), and 12.71% of dry cell weight (DCW) in which content of docosahexaenoic acid (C22: 6ω-3, DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20: 5ω-3, EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (C22: 5ω-6, DPA) was accounted for 85.01% of TFA. However, using fresh biomass as feedstock was resulted in lower yield of FAAE (90.95% of TFA and 3.26% of DCW). In the two-stage method, when fresh and dried biomass were used as feedstock, omega 3-6 free fatty acids (FFA) were obtained with equivalent yield (99.07% and 99.83% of TFA; 17.09% and 14.85% of DCW, respectively) with DHA, EPA and DPA contents accounting for over 80% of TFA. Thus, fresh biomass could also be used to extract bio-oil instead of dried biomass. These results would contribute to reduce manufacturing cost of the bio-oil rich in omega 3-6 fatty acids from Schizochytrium in the future. Citation: Le Thi Thom, Nguyen Cam Ha, Dang Diem Hong, 2017. Extraction of bio - oil rich in omega 3-6 fatty acid using different methods from heterotrophic marine microalga Schizochytrium mangrovei. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 39(3): 359-366. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v39n3.9829. *Corresponding author: ddhong60vn@yahoo.com Received 18 May 2017, accepted 20 August 2017

Molecular modeling of systems related to the biodiesel production using the PHSC equation of state

In this study, capability of the Perturbed Hard Sphere Chain (PHSC) equation of state (EoS) is investigated for thermodynamic modeling of binary and ternary systems related to the biodiesel processing. Vapor-liquid, liquid-liquid and solid-liquid equilibria (VLE, LLE and SLE, respectively) in mixtures containing fatty acid alkyl ester, non – polar and polar compounds are investigated. The PHSC model parameters are calculated for both fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and Fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) molecules by fitting on the experimental pure liquid density and vapor pressure data. Using the obtained parameters, the phase behavior of binary systems over wide range of thermodynamic conditions is studied. The average deviation between model calculations and experimental equilibrium data of water + ester, alcohol + ester, ester + ester, hydrocarbon + ester and carbon dioxide + ester systems are about 5.57, 2.42, 0.31, 3.61 and 6.45%, respectively. Furthermore, the capability of the model has then been assessed by prediction of LLE phase behavior of ternary systems. The results show that, the predicted and correlated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. In the case of SLE, the melting and eutectic points of fatty acid ester systems have been predicted over wide range of composition.

Integrating Cellular and Bioprocess Engineering in the Non-Conventional Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for Biodiesel Production: A Review.

As one of the major biofuels to replace fossil fuel, biodiesel has now attracted more and more attention due to its advantages in higher energy density and overall less greenhouse gas generation. Biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters) is produced by chemically or enzymatically catalyzed transesterification of lipids from microbial cells, microalgae, oil crops, or animal fats. Currently, plant oils or waste cooking oils/fats remain the major source for biodiesel production via enzymatic route, but the production capacity is limited either by the uncertain supplement of plant oils or by the low or inconsistent quality of waste oils/fats. In the past decades, significant progresses have been made on synthesis of microalgae oils directly from CO2 via a photosynthesis process, but the production cost from any current technologies is still too high to be commercialized due to microalgae’s slow growth rate on CO2, inefficiency in photo-bioreactors, lack of efficient contamination control methods, and high cost in downstream recovery. At the same time, many oleaginous microorganisms have been studied to produce lipids via the fatty acid synthesis pathway under aerobic fermentation conditions, among them one of the most studied is the non-conventional yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, which is able to produce fatty acids at very high titer, rate, and yield from various economical substrates. This review summarizes the recent research progresses in both cellular and bioprocess engineering in Y. lipolytica to produce lipids at a low cost that may lead to commercial-scale biodiesel production. Specific technologies include the strain engineering for using various substrates, metabolic engineering in high-yield lipid synthesis, cell morphology study for efficient substrate uptake and product formation, free fatty acid formation and secretion for improved downstream recovery, and fermentation engineering for higher productivities and less operating cost. To further improve the economics of the microbial oil-based biodiesel, production of lipid-related or -derived high-value products are also discussed.