Bio-production of Single-cell Oil by Rhodococcus Erythropolis PTCC 1767 Bacterial using Low-cost Carbon Sources

Microorganisms that store lipids due to nutrient deficiencies (especially nitrogen) produce microbial oils following inhibition of growth. Based on the structure of fatty acids, microbial oils have industrial applications. The main purpose of this study, the first in Iran, was to evaluate the production of single-cell oil from Rhodococcus erythropolis PTCC 1767 using low-cost materials.

In the present study, Rhodococcus erythropolis PTCC 1767 as bacterial strain, whey, wheat straw, glucose, and glycerol were used for carbon sources and yeast extract was used for the nitrogen source. The bacterial strain was cultured in the MSM medium. FTIR analysis was performed to confirm the presence of carbon groups, GC analysis for identifying fatty acids, and Sudan black staining and imaging with a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for observing the lipid granules stored inside the cell.

The highest lipid production in the presence of carbon sources was related to whey in 96 hours with 23.22% and the maximum lipid production was obtained using wheat straw in 72 hours with 20%.

The results of the present study demonstrated that Rhodococcus strains have the ability of bioconversion of low-cost carbon sources wheat straw and the whey to microbial oils and this can serve as a platform for eco-friendly biotechnological processes.