Docosahexaenoic Acid Production from Crude Glycerol by Schizochytrium Limacinum SR21

The development and promotion of biodiesel, a substitute energy source for fossil fuels, has resulted in the overproduction of crude glycerol, causing undesirable environmental issues. However, the environmental harm can be minimized by converting crude glycerol into useful products. One solution involves using microalga Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 to convert glycerol into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is an essential fatty acid, and is necessary to develop and maintain brain functions in infants and adults. The highest DHA productivity of 233.73 mg/g biomass was obtained using 3 % crude glycerol in Medium 2 at 20 °C under mixo/heterotrophic cultivation.