AF16156 Microbial fatty acid (BO-57-001-015, BO-44-002-007, BO-21.04-002-009)

Within the proposed PPS project, the industrial partners Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, Aveve and BaseClear, together with DLO-FBR will address this problem by developing microbial platforms for the production of these edible oils. Two research lines will be followed; 1. The use of natural fat-producing microorganisms such as the yeast Cryptococcus curvatus, Yarrowia lipolytica, the fungus Mortirella or the microalgae for production of edible oils on cheap, and readily available waste- and side streams from the food industry ; and 2. The modification of yeast and microalgae to produce tailor-made fatty acids with desired length and saturation level. This project fully aligns with three Roadmaps of the Topsector AgriFood, to develop more advanced products (tailor-made fatty acids), to improve nutrition & health (plant-based unsaturated fatty acids) and stimulate Biobased Economy by sustainable production through microbial fermentation and growth of microalgae, as alternative for production of current edible oils.