Sustainable enzymatic approaches in a fungal lipid biorefinery based in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as carbon source.

Single cell oil (SCO) was produced from enzymatically hydrolysed sugarcane bagasse by Mucor circinelloides. The fungus was cultured in the hydrolysate medium rich in glucose and xylose being able to assimilate both sugars simultaneously, attaining satisfactory values of lipid accumulation (25 wt%). The main concepts addressed herein were the utilization of these lipids for the production of (i) ethyl esters of fuel grade, and (ii) concentrate of polyunsaturated fatty acids for nutraceutical applications. It was noticed that the fungal lipids also contained carotenoids and that the fungal biomass presented lipolytic activity. The concept of integrating an M. circinelloides-based biorefinery into the sugarcane energy matrix may, thus, present a relevant alternative for the production of high value-added products.