BIOENERGY RESEARCH, cilt.15, sa.3, ss.1472-1481, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, lipid accumulation and biodiesel production potentials of novel yeast isolates grown in pumpkin peel were investigated. Effect of some critical parameters on lipid production such as initial biomass loading (5-20%), type and concentration of nitrogen source (cheese whey and (NH4)(2)SO4, 0.25-2 gL(-1)), and incubation time (0-96 h) were also determined. Furthermore, the effect of biomass loading (0.5-2 gL(-1)) and catalyst concentration (NaOH 1-3%) with methanol on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields were optimized with response surface methodology (RSM). One yeast isolate showed the highest lipid production, and this strain was identified as Candida boidinii. The maximum lipid accumulation of the novel isolate was observed as 45.6% in the presence of 10% initial pumpkin peel loading, 0.5 gL(-1) cheese whey, and 72-h incubation time. The highest FAME (C16-C18) yield was 92.3% when 2 gL(-1) biomass and 3% catalyst (NaOH) were used. These results showed that Candida boidinii is a promising microorganism for biodiesel production and pumpkin peel supports the microbial growth.