Single-Cell Oils from Oleaginous Microorganisms as Green Bio-Lubricants: Studies on Their Tribological Performance

Alok Patel, Liwen Mu, Yijun Shi, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos and Leonidas Matsakas
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Alok Patel: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Liwen Mu: Division of Machine Elements, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Yijun Shi: Division of Machine Elements, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Ulrika Rova: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Paul Christakopoulos: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
Leonidas Matsakas: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: Biolubricants refer to eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic lubricants. Their applications are still limited compared to mineral oils; however, their sustainable credentials are making them increasingly attractive. Vegetable oils are frequently used for this purpose. However, vegetable oils have issues of low lipid productivity, dependence on climatic conditions, and need for agricultural land. Microbial oils represent a more sustainable alternative. To ensure their widespread applicability, the suitability of microbial oils from a physicochemical point of view needs to be determined first. In this study, oils obtained from various oleagenic microbes—such as microalgae, thraustochytrids, and yeasts—were characterized in terms of their fatty acid profile, viscosity, friction coefficient, wear, and thermal stability. Oleaginous microalgal strains ( Auxenochlorella protothecoides and Chlorella sorokiniana ), thraustochytrids strains ( Aurantiochytrium limacinum SR21 and Aurantiochytrium sp. T66), and yeast strains ( Rhodosporidium toruloides and Cryptococcus curvatus ) synthesized 64.5%, 35.15%, 47.89%, 47.93%, 56.42%, and 52.66% of lipid content, respectively. Oils from oleaginous microalgae ( A. protothecoides and C. sorokiniana ) and yeasts ( R. toruloides and C. curvatus ) possess excellent physicochemical and tribological qualities due to high amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid C18:1 content, 56.38%, 58.82%, 46.67%, 38.81%) than those from oleaginous thraustochytrids ( A. limacinum SR21 and Aurantiochytrium sp. T66; 0.96%, 0.08%, respectively) supporting their use as renewable and biodegradable alternatives to traditional mineral oil-based lubricants. Oil obtained from microalgae showed a lower friction coefficient than oils obtained from yeasts and thraustochytrids.

Keywords: microbial oil; tribology; microalgae; yeast; thraustochytrids; biolubricants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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