Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a method of facilitating the bioconversion of glycerol by microorganisms. In one embodiment, biodiesel derived crude glycerol is purified by removing fatty acids through acid precipitation. The fatty acid-free crude glycerol is then utilized as a carbon source for the culture of microorganisms and the production of value added substances. Additionally, the unsaturated fatty acids within the biodiesel-derived crude glycerol are converted to saturated fatty acids, allowing for fermentation behavior similar to that of pure glycerol. Both the cultured microorganisms and the culture media containing the purified crude glycerol may be analyzed for crude glycerol bioconversion products. The disclosure also relates to a method of increasing product yield through the addition of a second carbon source to the microorganism culture media.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a method of facilitating the bioconversion of glycerol by microorganisms. In one embodiment, biodiesel derived crude glycerol is purified by removing fatty acids through acid precipitation. The fatty acid-free crude glycerol is then utilized as a carbon source for the culture of microorganisms and the production of value added substances. Additionally, the unsaturated fatty acids within the biodiesel-derived crude glycerol are converted to saturated fatty acids, allowing for fermentation behavior similar to that of pure glycerol. Both the cultured microorganisms and the culture media containing the purified crude glycerol may be analyzed for crude glycerol bioconversion products. The disclosure also relates to a method of increasing product yield through the addition of a second carbon source to the microorganism culture media.