TITLE:
Evaluation of Cellulose as a Substrate for Hydrocarbon Fuel Production by Ascocoryne sarcoides (NRRL 50072)
AUTHORS:
Natasha Mallette, Elle M. Pankratz, Albert E. Parker, Gary A. Strobel, Scott C. Busse, Ross P. Carlson, Brent M. Peyton
KEYWORDS:
Biofuel; Cellulose; Fungal Hydrocarbons; Filamentous Fungus; Gasoline Fuel
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems,
Vol.4 No.1,
March
27,
2014
ABSTRACT:
The fungal endophyte, Ascocoryne sarcoides, produced aviation, gasoline and diesel-relevant hydrocarbons when grown on multiple substrates
including cellulose as the sole carbon source. Substrate, growth stage, culturing pH,
temperature and medium composition were statistically significant factors for the type and quantity of
hydrocarbons produced. Gasoline range (C5-C12), aviation
range (C8-C16) and diesel range (C9-C36)
organics were detected in all cultured media. Numerous non-oxygenated
hydrocarbons were produced such as isopentane, 3,3-dimethyl hexane and d-limonene during exponential growth phase. Growth
on cellulose at 23°C and pH 5.8 produced the highest overall yield of fuel
range organics (105 mg * g·biomass-1). A change in
metabolism was seen in late stationary phase from catabolism of cellulose to
potential oxidation of hydrocarbons resulting in the production of more
oxygenated compounds with longer carbon chain length and fewer fuel-related
compounds. The results outline rational strategies for controlling the composition of the fuel-like compounds by changing
culturing parameters.