The Utilization of Algicidal Bacteria for Improved Lipid Extractions and Insights into Neutral Lipid Production in a Wax Ester Accumulating Bacterium

Abstract

Based on finite and diminishing quantities of available fossil fuels and the increased demand by a growing population, the identification and production of biologically derived fuels and alternatives to petroleum based compounds has become increasingly important. Biological fuels hold promise from both an economical and environmental standpoint. Microorganisms may hold the key to producing these compounds as many algae and bacteria have been found to produce high quantities of lipids and other bioproducts similar to those obtained from fossil fuels. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the potential application of algae-degrading bacteria to aid in lipid extractions from the microalgae <italic>Neochloris oleoabundans</italic> and <italic>Dunaliella tertiolecta</italic>. Separate studies evaluated the wax ester biosynthetic pathway in the lipid accumulating bacterium <italic>Marinobacter aquaeolei</italic> VT8 through the analysis of transcriptional levels within wild-type cells, and finally these studies were complimented by gene deletion efforts for specific enzymes within this biosynthetic pathway.