review · Bioresource Technology Reports
Rising demand for specialty oils presents environmental and supply challenges for conventional oil producers. Oleaginous microorganisms present a sustainable alternative, synthesising lipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids or profiles resembling conventional vegetable and animal fats. These microbial oils have relevant applications across food, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare sectors. Microorganisms provide several operational benefits, including seasonal independence, lower ecological footprints, and the ability to consume diverse carbon feedstocks. Nevertheless, commercial viability remains constrained because downstream processing steps are costly and limit overall profitability. Furthermore, comparative performance data for candidate strains at industrial scale remains scarce. Achieving commercial adoption requires targeted bioprocess engineering, addressing upstream cultivation, downstream recovery, and scaling strategies to substantially lower production costs.
Rising global demand for specialty oils threatens natural habitats and strains agricultural supply chains. Microbial oils offer a renewable, climate-independent alternative that can ease pressure on ecosystems. Resolving the economic and processing bottlenecks that prevent cost-effective manufacturing is essential to introduce these sustainable lipids into everyday consumer, nutritional, and industrial products.
Microbial oils could supply industrial biomanufacturers and ingredient processors across the food, biofuel, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. However, real-world deployment is currently obstructed by costly downstream processing, and the technology appears to be at an early to intermediate development stage requiring further cost-lowering engineering before commercial viability is achieved.
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The increased demand for specialty oils, driven by a growing population and thus increased consumption as well as seasonal fluctuations, poses challenges for the environment and edible oil industries. Oleaginous microorganisms offer a promising solution as they are capable of yielding oils with high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids or profiles similar to that of traditional fats. These oils have applications in diverse industries, including food, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. While multiple studies explore strains suitable for industrial-scale oil production, data comparison remains limited. Oleaginous microorganisms offer versatility in utilising various carbon sources, seasonal independence, and a minimal ecological footprint. However, downstream processing steps still hinder overall profitability and thus commercialisation. This review takes a bioprocess engineering approach, focusing on upstream and downstream processing, up-scale, practical and economic considerations, and innovative strategies developed to lower production costs.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2024.101871
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