Single-Cell Oil Production by Engineered Ashbya gossypii from Non-Detoxified Lignocellulosic Biomass Hydrolysate

In this work, microbial lipid production from non-detoxified Eucalyptus bark hydrolysate (EBH) with oleaginous xylose-utilizing Ashbya gossypii strains was explored. The best producing strain from a set of engineered strains was identified in synthetic media mimicking the composition of the non-detoxified EBH (SM), the lipid profile was characterized, and yeast extract and corn steep liquor (CSL) were pinpointed as supplements enabling a good balance between lipid accumulation, biomass production, and autolysis by A. gossypii. The potential of the engineered A. gossypii A877 strain to produce lipids was further validated and optimized with minimally processed inhibitor-containing hydrolysate and high sugar concentration, and scaled up in a 2 L bioreactor. Lipid production from non-detoxified EBH supplemented with CSL reached a lipid titer of 1.42 g/L, paving the way for sustainable single-cell oil production within the concept of circular economy and placing lipids as an alternative by-product within microbial biorefineries.