Optimizing Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Production by Schizochytrium sp. Grown on Waste Glycerol

Natalia Kujawska, Szymon Talbierz, Marcin Dębowski, Joanna Kazimierowicz and Marcin Zieliński
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Natalia Kujawska: InnovaTree Sp. z o.o., 81-451 Gdynia, Poland
Szymon Talbierz: InnovaTree Sp. z o.o., 81-451 Gdynia, Poland
Marcin Dębowski: Department of Environment Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
Joanna Kazimierowicz: Department of Water Supply and Sewage Systems, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Marcin Zieliński: Department of Environment Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: The aim of this study was to optimize biomass and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production by Schizochytrium sp. grown on waste glycerol as an organic carbon source. Parameters having a significant effect on biomass and DHA yields were screened using the fractional Plackett–Burman design and the response surface methodology (RSM). Schizochytrium sp. growth was most significantly influenced by crude glycerin concentration in the growth medium (150 g/dm 3 ), process temperature (27 °C), oxygen in the bioreactor (49.99% v / v ), and the concentration of peptone as a source of nitrogen (9.99 g/dm 3 ). The process parameter values identified as optimal for producing high DHA concentrations in the biomass were as follows: glycerin concentration 149.99 g/dm 3 , temperature 26 °C, oxygen concentration 30% ( v / v ), and peptone concentration 2.21 g/dm 3 . The dry cell weight (DCW) obtained under actual laboratory conditions was 66.69 ± 0.66 g/dm 3 , i.e., 1.27% lower than the predicted value. The DHA concentration obtained in the actual culture was at 17.25 ± 0.33 g/dm 3 , which was 3.03% lower than the predicted value. The results obtained suggest that a two-step culture system should be employed, with the first phase focused on high production of Schizochytrium sp. biomass, and the second focused on increasing DHA concentration in the cells.

Keywords: docosahexaenoic acid; Schizochytrium sp.; crude glycerin; optimization; Plackett–Burman design; response surface methodology (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 (4)

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