Ganodiesel: A New Biodiesel Feedstock from Biomass of the Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum
Besek Mariam Mohamad Jahis, Zul Ilham, Sugenendran Supramani, Mohamad Nor Azzimi Sohedein, Mohamad Faizal Ibrahim, Suraini Abd‐Aziz, Neil J. Rowan, Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan‐Mohtar
Abstract
There is a pressing demand for new sustainable eco-friendly approaches to producing green energy worldwide. This study represents the novel production of biodiesel feedstock from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum QRS 5120 using state-of-the-art biotechnology tools. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to enhance G. lucidum production in a repeated-batch fermentation strategy. By referring to the broth replacement ratio (BRR) and broth replacement time point (BRTP), RSM that was formulated using a central composite design (CCD) resulted in a significant model for all tested variables, which are exopolysaccharide (EPS), endopolysaccharide (ENS) and biomass, with BRR (%) of 60, 75 and 90, and BRTP (days) of 11, 13 and 15. The model was validated using the optimised conditions, and the results showed 4.21 g/L of EPS (BRR 77.46% and BRTP 12 days), 2.44 g/L of ENS (BRR 60% and BRTP 12.85 days), and 34.32 g/L of biomass (BRR 89.52% and BRTP 10.96 days) were produced. Biomass produced from the G. lucidum was subsequently used as feedstock for biodiesel production. Approximately 20.36% of lipid was successfully extracted from the dried G. lucidum biomass via a solvent extraction and subsequently converted to Ganodiesel through a transesterification process. The Ganodiesel produced fulfilled most of the international standards, i.e., US (ASTM D6751-08) and EU (EN 14214). Overall, this study demonstrates the optimised G. lucidum production and its lipid production as a new biodiesel feedstock.