NMR identification of sugars secreted by the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi
EMSL Project ID
48067
Abstract
Oleaginous yeasts, such as Lipomyces starkeyi, have the potential to convert sugars from lignocellulosic biomass to lipids which are ideal precursors for catalytic conversion to hydrocarbon biofuels. These simple fungi can convert a variety of sugars to triacylglycerides as carbon storage compounds. Our project objective is to maximize the titer, rate and yield of lipids from sugars found in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. This requires bioprocess optimization and genetic manipulation. The latter is required to eliminate carbon sinks—undesirable by-products—that reduce the yield of the desired lipid. In Lipomyces starkeyi, one of the sinks for carbon is secreted polysaccharides. The species suggested are a long chain acidic polysaccharide and a mixture of disaccharides and trisaccharides of varying composition. The latter may include galactose, mannose and glucuronic acid moieties based on 50 year old thin layer chromatography investigations but no recent studies to identify their composition have been performed. Understanding the composition of sugars and/or more detailed structural information about the disaccharides and trisaccharides may help us locate the genes responsible in the genome of this yeast and target them for deletion or disruption. Therefore, we desire NMR analysis to help identify the composition and/or structure of these sugars.
Project Details
Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2013-05-30
End Date
2013-07-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator