Thraustochytrids can produce high amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3). Glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production from vegetable oil and animal fats, is becoming increasingly available. We investigated the potential of Australian thraustochytrids to use crude glycerol as the main carbon source for production of long-chain (LC, ≥C₂₀) omega 3-oils. Crude glycerol content was analysed, and the growth kinetics of eight thraustochytrid strains was examined with crude glycerol. Aurantiochytrium sp. strains achieved higher biomass (20 g/L dry cell weight; DCW) and lipid yield (389 mg/g total fatty acids; TFA) compared to Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium and Ulkenia spp. Impurities in the crude glycerol hindered growth of thraustochytrids, with maximum yield of 9 g/L DCW and 48% DHA TFA at 4-days. Our research shows the potential of heterotrophic thraustochytrids to provide the growing global population with a secure, environmentally sustainable alternative source of health-benefitting LC omega-3 oils for use in feeds and foods.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Thraustochytrids, docosahexanoic acid, glycerol, polyunsaturated fatty acids
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant biology
Research Field:	Phycology (incl. marine grasses)
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Industrial crops
Objective Field:	Industrial crops not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Paul, H (Miss Helen Paul)
UTAS Author:	Koutoulis, A (Professor Anthony Koutoulis)
ID Code:	106446
Year Published:	2015
Web of Science® Times Cited:	15
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2016-02-10
Last Modified:	2017-11-06
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