Potential of mucorales fungi in biodiesel production: Lipid profile and biochemical parameters of isolated species in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

作者：Marianne Feitoza da Silva, Diogo Paes da Costa, Rafael José Vilela de Oliveira, Bianca Galúcio Pereira Araújo, Érika Valente de Medeiros, Carlos Alberto Fragoso de Souza · 发表于：The Microbe · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.microb.2025.100630 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction、Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis、Algal biology and biofuel production

The growing demand for sustainable energy and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels have intensified interest in microbial oils as alternative sources of biodiesel, especially those derived from lipid-rich fungi. We hypothesize that Mucorales species isolated from the Brazilian semi-arid region possess high lipid accumulation capacity and fatty acid profiles, as well as biochemical parameters favorable for the produce of high-quality biodiesel. Seventeen fungal species were isolated from herbivore dung collected in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Strains exhibiting lipid accumulation exceeding 20% of their dry cell weight were selected and classified as oleaginous microorganisms. The fatty acid profile revealed a predominance of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids, particularly palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1), which are essential for producing high-quality biodiesel. Isolates from species such as Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus , Mucor ramosissimus , and Cunninghamella echinulata stood out for their balanced performance, exhibiting characteristics that meet the standards required by EN 14214 and ASTM D6751. The biochemical parameters evaluated—cetane number, density, and viscosity—were consistent with international biodiesel standards, supporting the potential of microbial oils as viable renewable sources for industrial applications. These findings position Mucorales fungi as sustainable and competitive alternatives for biodi...