Biodiesel Fuel Performance Calculation on the basis of Fatty Acid Composition of Lipids of Some Biotechnologically Important Microorganisms
A short review of the interrelation between the structure of fatty acids and the characteristics of biofuel obtained on their basis is represented. The fatty acid composition of yeast and phototrophic microorganisms’ lipids was analyzed. Based on this analysis, the main parameters of biodiesel (iodine value, cetane number, density, and kinematic viscosity) that can be obtained from those lipids were calculated and compared with the existing standards. It was shown that the lipids of the Rhodosporidium toruloides VKPM Y-3349 yeast are the most suitable source for the biodiesel obtaining judging by the fatty acid composition and content. The ways to reduce the cost of microbial lipids in order to make them competitive material along with plant oils for biofuel production are discussed.