Utilization of Volatile Fatty Acids from Microalgae for the Production of High Added Value Compounds

Abstract

Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) are small organic compounds that have attracted much attention lately, due to their use as a carbon source for microorganisms involved in the production of bioactive compounds, biodegradable materials and energy. Low cost production of VFA from different types of waste streams can occur via dark fermentation, offering a promising approach for the production of biofuels and biochemicals with simultaneous reduction of waste volume. VFA can be subsequently utilized in fermentation processes and efficiently transformed into bioactive compounds that can be used in the food and nutraceutical industry for the development of functional foods with scientifically sustained claims. Microalgae are oleaginous microorganisms that are able to grow in heterotrophic cultures supported by VFA as a carbon source and accumulate high amounts of valuable products, such as omega-3 fatty acids and exopolysaccharides. This article reviews the different types of waste streams in concert with their potential to produce VFA, the possible factors that affect the VFA production process and the utilization of the resulting VFA in microalgae fermentation processes. The biology of VFA utilization, the potential products and the downstream processes are discussed in detail.

Impact of thiamine metabolites and spent medium from Chlorella sorokiniana on metabolism in the green algae Auxenochlorella prototheciodes

“…It is understood that algae possess isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, enzymes necessary to carry out the glyoxylate cycle [30]. The glyoxylate cycle plays an essential role in acetate metabolism and also allows for bypass of OGDH.…”

Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) Generated by Anaerobic Digestion Serve as Feedstock for Freshwater and Marine Oleaginous Microorganisms to Produce Biodiesel and Added-Value Compounds

“…Few studies on the cultivation of thraustochytrids using single VFA as carbon source have been attempted so far; only C. cohnii has been proposed for the production of lipids ( Chalima et al, 2017 ). The oleaginous thraustochytrid Aurantiochytrium sp.…”

“…Study on lipogenesis by oleaginous microalgae and yeast cultivated on single VFA as well as on the mixture of VFAs are extensively studied for biofuel production ( Xia and Murphy, 2016 ; Llamas et al, 2020 ). PUFA production by marine microalga Crypthecodinium Cohnii cultivated on mixture of VFAs is also an explored topic ( Chalima et al, 2017 ), but to the best of our knowledge this is the first attempt to cultivate an oleaginous marine thraustochytrids using a mixture of VFAs as carbon source. Moreover, in this study, five oleaginous microorganisms were selected to cultivate on VFAs produced through anaerobic digestion of food mixture.…”

Producing Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Review of Sustainable Sources and Future Trends for the EPA and DHA Market

“…Gupta et al reported that Thraustrochytrium aureum 28210 can reach 48.3-58.2% of DHA of total fatty acids [83]. Lee Chang et al reported results of 41-75% of DHA of total fatty acids for Thraustrochytrium aureum 38304 strain -and 5-13% of DHA for ulkenia [84]. In a recent report, the main PUFA producer's growth under heterotrophic conditions were reviewed by Chalima et al [85].…”