Lipid Production and Waste Reutilization Combination Using Yeast Isolate Rhodotorula mucilaginosa LP-2

For transforming the massive amounts of extensive wasted glycerol from the procedure of biodiesels production, oleaginous yeasts were isolated from an activated sludge tank located at a biodiesel manufacturing factory in this study. One of the isolated oleaginous yeast proved with the most lipid production potential was identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa LP-2 by 18S rDNA sequencing. The optimal conditions for lipid production among strain R. mucilaginosa LP-2 were investigated. The optimum temperature for maximum lipid productivity was 33 °C. The most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for strain R. mucilaginosa LP-2 to accumulate lipids were pure glycerol and yeast extract, respectively. C/N ratio was also demonstrated to be the significant factor for intracellular lipid accumulation. Cell growth and lipid production were both inhibited when the C/N ratio was higher than 85. The highest lipid yield was observed at C/N ratio of 65 due to a significant impact on the degree of fatty acid desaturation of this strain.