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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317925
Title: Utilization of papaya waste and oil production by Chlorella protothecoides

Author
item HELLER, WADE - Former ARS Employee
item Kissinger, Karma
item Matsumoto Brower, Tracie
item Keith, Lisa

Submitted to: Algal Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2015
Publication Date: 11/1/2015
Citation: Heller, W.P., Kissinger, K.R., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Keith, L.M. 2015. Utilization of papaya waste and oil production by Chlorella protothecoides. Algal Research. 12:156-160.

Interpretive Summary: Wild-type strains from the UTEX collection were tested for growth on papaya medium and an optimized growth medium composition was determined. Oil production of 21 g /Kg papaya was determined.

Technical Abstract: Algae derived oils have outstanding potential for use in biodiesel production. Chlorella protothecoides has been shown to accumulate lipid up to 60% of its cellular dry weight with glucose supplementation under heterotrophic growth conditions. To reduce production costs, alternative carbon feedstocks have been evaluated and show promise as low-cost alternatives. Here, we present the finding that wild-type C. protothecoides isolates are capable of robust cell growth and oil production in growth medium comprised of pH-adjusted papaya puree with no additional supplements. The cell doubling time is 6.6 hours and the maximum oil production rate observed was 1.9 g/L/day.