R&D lines

Unit of Biotechnological processes for energy production

Dra. Cristina González

Senior Researcher & Head of Unit

cristina.gonzalez@imdea.org

Dra. Elia Tomás

Senior Assistant Researcher

elia.tomas@imdea.org

In the Biotechnological Processes Unit we work essentially on the production of biofuels and bioproducts through the development of biological processes using different residual substrates and different microorganisms depending on the product we want to obtain.

Research lines 

  • Microalgae upstream processes: microalgae and aerobic bacteria consortia for wastewater treatment.
  • Microalgae downstream processes: short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production via anaerobic fermentation.
  • Anaerobic fermentation of waste streams for SCFAs and biogas production.
  • Microbial oils production from the carboxylic platform (SCFAs).
  • Lignocellulose-based biofuels and bioproducts.

Facilities

The unit has several laboratories and a modern pilot plant for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms in photobioreactors, which allows us to optimise and scale up the cultivation of microalgae. We also have an anaerobic reactor with a volume of 50 litres, which also allows us to scale up fermentation processes.

R&D projects

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Outstanding results

  1. Through adaptive evolutionary processes, microorganisms adapted to the restrictive conditions of different bioprocesses have been obtained. Successful examples include: i) an ethanol-resistant strain of Bacillus coagulans, ii) a strain of Lactobacillus pentosus tolerant to acidic pH and with improved xylose consumption capacity, iii) a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistant to insoluble solids and lignocellulosic inhibitors, and iv) a strain of Yarrowia lipolytica with improved tolerance to high concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. By the implantation of evolutionary engineering approaches, several microbial strains adapted to the challenging conditions faced in different bioprocesses have been obtained. As successful examples, it is worth mentioning: i) a Bacillus coagulans strain highly-resistant to high ethanol concentrations, ii) a Lactobacillus pentosus strain tolerant to acidic pH and showing increased xylose consumption capacity; iii) a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain resistant to lignocellulosic insoluble solids and inhibitors and; iv) a Yarrowia lipolytica strain with increased tolerance to short chain fatty acids.

    When using anaerobic fermentation technology, the composition of the substrate is decisive for the optimisation of the process conditions. In that context, long hydraulic retention times and slightly acidic pH have been identified as optimal operating conditions to promote β-reverse oxidation resulting in high bioconversion of short-chain fatty acids and high H2 yield from high-carbohydrate residues. These results are key for both the implementation of the carboxylate platform and biohydrogen production.  When applying anaerobic fermentation technology, the composition of the substrate is decisive for optimising the process conditions. In this context, long hydraulic retention times and slightly acidic pH have been identified as optimal operating conditions to promote reverse β-oxidation leading to high bioconversion of short-chain fatty acids and high yield of H2 from carbohydrate-rich substrates. These results are key for both the implementation of the carboxylate platform and the biohydrogen production.

  2. In a recent article published in the journal  Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02135-9) in collaboration with Dr. Marta Liras from the Photoactivated Processes Unit of IMDEA Energy, the need to use Fluorescence Quantum Yield for the estimation of intracellular lipids in yeast is highlighted, which is not the general trend in this type of analysis. The proposed Quantum Fluorescence Quantum Yield protocol can bereproducible in any laboratory as the measurements do not depend on external factors such as type of equipment or lamp lifetime.  A recent article published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02135-9) performed in collaboration with Dr. Marta Liras from the Photoactivated Processes Unit highlights the need of using Fluorescence Quantum Yield to estimate intracellular lipids, which is not the common trend in studies focused on microbial lipid production. The Fluorescence Quantum Yield protocol can be reproduced in any laboratory since the measurements do not depend on external factors such as the type of equipment or lamp lifetime.
  3. Dr. Elia Tomás, Senior Researcher at the Biotechnological Processes Unit leads the COST Action YEAST4BIO (https://yeast4bio.eu/) in which more than 150 researchers from 34 countries are participating. This COST Action brings together an innovative group of researchers with the combined skills and experience to work on the implementation of unconventional yeasts in different biotechnological processes. The Action involves the best European scientists in the field and thus becomes an important pillar worldwide. Dr. Elia Tomás, Senior Assistant Researcher in the Biotechnological Processes Unit chairs the COST Action YEAST4BIO involving more than 150 participants from 34 countries. This Action brings together an innovative group of researchers with the combination of skills and experience to unravel how non-conventional yeast can be successfully implemented in a biotechnology industry. Besides, the Action gathers European top scientists in the field and thus become an important pillar worldwide.
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