Bioconversion of waste acid oil to docosahexaenoic acid by integration of “ ex novo ’’ and “ de novo ’’ fermentation in Aurantiochytrium limacinum

Thraustochytrids have predominantly been grown on hydrophilic substrates i.e. by “ de novo ” fermentation. The fatty acid composition of thraustochytrids oil in “ de novo ” mode is enriched in saturated palmitic acid and polyunsaturated docosahexaenoic acid. The “ ex novo ” fermentation of a novel Aurantiochytrium limacinum ICTSG-17 with waste acid oil altered the fatty acid composition of produced oil. This led to increased total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA) and concomitant decrease in the total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) resulting in higher TUFA/TSFA ratio. However, cell growth and DHA content in “ ex novo ” were lower than that of “ de novo ” fermentation. Integration of “ de novo ” and “ ex novo ” fermentation modes were devised to attain high biomass and lipids enriched in DHA. Sequential “ de novo” -“ ex novo ” fermentation resulted in ~20 g/L biomass and ~40% DHA content and higher TUFA/TSFA ratio as compared to that of “ de novo ” mode.