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Ph.D.
(Science)
PRODUCTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF BIODIESEL BY OLEAGINOUS
MICROORGANISMS USING AGROWASTE

Ph.D. Scholar : Chaudhary Roshaniben Kantilal
Research Supervisor : Dr. Priti Patel

Regi. No.: 18276181001
Abstract :
Increasing demand and changes in pricing of fossil-derived fuel led researchers to find
the productive path to meet the current energy requirement. These objectives can be
achieved by using lignocellulosic wastes as a source of food for microbes having the
ability to accumulate oil. Microorganisms possessing more than 20% w/w of lipids on dry
weight are termed as oleaginous microorganisms. Oleaginous microorganisms are
proven useful in the production of biodiesel. Coastal water was screened for the presence
of these microorganisms. Potent lipid accumulator has been isolated from the selected
sample. After studying morphology, biochemical, and 16s rRNA sequencing analysis, the
organism was identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis (OQ202112). They can produce
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) de novo using PUFA synthase/polyketide synthase.
The fatty acid profile revealed the presence of oleic and linoleic acids as major
components. They produced 3.3 g/L lipids with 5.5 g/L total dry weight. Lipid extraction
was carried out by Bligh and Dyer method and oil was transesterified by methanol using
NaOH as a catalyst. The yield of fatty acid methyl esters was 86.2%. The fuel obtained
met with the standards given by the American Society for Testing and Materials and
ASAM. Cetane rating 61 suggests good quality of the biodiesel produced. Thus, the
isolated organism possesses potential to be used as a biodiesel producer.

Key words: Agrowaste, Biodiesel, Cetane rating, Oleaginous microorganisms,
Polyunsaturated fatty acid, Transesterification.

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