Production of biodiesel from oleaginous fungal lipid using highly catalytic bimetallic gold‐silver core‐shell nanoparticle

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to synthesize, characterize and apply gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs), a nanocatalyst, to maximize biodiesel production from fungal isolate Fusarium solani (FS12) via a transesterification one-step reaction. Methods and Results:The Au@Ag NPs structure was examined by UV-vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). All devices were used to characterize Au@Ag NPs and confirmed successful synthesis of nanoparticles. Fungal lipid was quantitatively determined by sulfo-phosphovanillin colorimetric method. Among 15 F. solani isolates obtained from rhizospheric soils of the date palm, F. solani (AF12) was chosen as the highly significant producer that accumulates above 20% lipid. The maximum biodiesel yield was 91.28 ± 0.19%, obtained under the optimum reaction conditions of 3% Au@Ag NPs as nanocatalyst concentration, and 1:20 oil to methanol molar ratio at 70℃ for 30 min. HPLC method was applied for monitoring in situ transesterification reaction. FTIR spectroscopy was used in qualitative analysis of biodiesel by verifying the presence of unique characteristic peaks of diagnostic significance. The quality of the biodiesel produced was confirmed by the high purity of fatty acid methyl esters analysis content up to >99%. Conclusions: These findings propose the applicability of F. solani (FS12) as a promising isolate to accumulate lipids and biodiesel production as a feedstock. Significance and Impact of the Study: The link between nanotechnology and fungi.Au@Ag NPs were synthesized at room temperature, which displayed high catalytic activity for in situ transesterification reaction. Catalytic activity appeared at low temperature, mole ratio and short reaction time. Oleaginous fungi are described as easily grown, have short life cycle, are cost-effective, and they utilized various sources of carbon up to waste and a simplified process to develop scale-up production as well, economic value, opposite the usage of vegetable oils which need for large agricultural areas.

Lipase production from Aniba canelilla endophytic fungi, characterization and application of the enzymatic extract

“…The biodiesel yield was calculated as described by Al-Zaban et al (2021). The analysis of the reaction products was performed using a gas chromatograph (Agilent Technologies, model CG-7890B) coupled to a mass spectrometer (model MS-5977A).…”

“…Endophytic fungi are excellent producers of lipases (Silva et al, 2014;Soldi et al, 2020;Monteiro et al, 2020;Sopalun & Iamtham, 2020;Matias et al, 2021), which can be used in various industrial processes, including the production of biodiesel (Amini et al, 2017;Guo et al, 2020;Al-Zaban et al, 2021;Cavalcante et al, 2021).…”

Bimetallic Au–Ag Nanoparticles: Advanced Nanotechnology for Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance

“…Bimetallic gold–silver nanoparticles demonstrated SPR bands that can be exploited in the phototherapy of cancer and catalytic biosensors [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Recently, AlZaban et al, synthesized bimetallic gold–silver (Au–Ag) core–shell NPs for the catalysis of the trans-esterification process in a fungal isolate ( Fusarium solani) and to enhance biodiesel production [ 9 ]. In another study, Renones et al, investigated the reducing property of Au–Ag NPs loaded with TiO 2, that photocatalyzed the conversion of CO 2 with water [ 10 ].…”

Nanotechnology-based biodiesel: A comprehensive review on production, and utilization in diesel engine as a substitute of diesel fuel

“…• Gold and silver nanoparticles have also been studied for their catalytic characteristics, which show promise for improving reaction kinetics and selectivity in biodiesel production (Al-Zaban and Abd El- Aziz, 2024;Al-Zaban et al, 2022).…”