Filipe Smith Buarque, Júlio Cesar Soares Sales, Lívia Cabral Lobo, Erika Christina Ashton Nunes Chrisman, Bernardo Dias Ribeiro, Maria Alice Zarur Coelho
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Heavy crude oil reserves are characterized by their high viscosity and density, largely due to significant quantities of asphaltenes. The removal of asphaltene precipitates from oil industry installations is crucial, as they can contaminate catalysts and obstruct pipelines. Therefore, this study aimed to bio-transform heavy oil asphaltenes into smaller molecules using the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, known for its ability to efficiently degrade hydrophobic substrates. For this purpose, asphaltenes were extracted from crude oil samples, and yeast growth was assessed in a mineral medium containing 2, 5, or 10 g L-1 of asphaltenes. After 168 h of incubation, liquid-liquid extraction was conducted on samples from the Yarrowia lipolytica growth medium using chloroform. The extracted fractions were then quantified by gas chromatography. The results indicated that the yeast could utilize the asphaltenes as a carbon source for growth, though there was a delay in growth compared to the control (glucose as the carbon source), with a maximum biomass concentration of 2.26 g L-1 achieved at 144 h. From the experimental design, it was determined that a higher concentration of aromatic compounds was achieved under the conditions of 115 rpm, 2 g L-1 of asphaltenes, and 0.5 g L-1 of cell inoculum. Conversely, to obtain a higher concentration of saturated compounds, the optimal conditions were 160 rpm, 5 g L-1 of asphaltenes, and 1.0 g L-1 of cell inoculum. Molecular docking results indicated that asphaltenes have a high affinity for cytochrome P450, laccase, and Lip2, with interactions observed with their catalytic triads, suggesting a significant role for these enzymes in asphaltene bioconversion.
期刊介绍:
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering provides an international peer-reviewed forum to facilitate the discussion between engineering and biological science to find efficient solutions in the development and improvement of bioprocesses. The aim of the journal is to focus more attention on the multidisciplinary approaches for integrative bioprocess design. Of special interest are the rational manipulation of biosystems through metabolic engineering techniques to provide new biocatalysts as well as the model based design of bioprocesses (up-stream processing, bioreactor operation and downstream processing) that will lead to new and sustainable production processes.
Contributions are targeted at new approaches for rational and evolutive design of cellular systems by taking into account the environment and constraints of technical production processes, integration of recombinant technology and process design, as well as new hybrid intersections such as bioinformatics and process systems engineering. Manuscripts concerning the design, simulation, experimental validation, control, and economic as well as ecological evaluation of novel processes using biosystems or parts thereof (e.g., enzymes, microorganisms, mammalian cells, plant cells, or tissue), their related products, or technical devices are also encouraged.
The Editors will consider papers for publication based on novelty, their impact on biotechnological production and their contribution to the advancement of bioprocess and biosystems engineering science. Submission of papers dealing with routine aspects of bioprocess engineering (e.g., routine application of established methodologies, and description of established equipment) are discouraged.