Advances in microalgal biomass/bioenergy production with agricultural by-products: Analysis with various growth rate models

Abstract

Mass cultivation of microalgae is necessary to achieve economically feasible production of microalgal biodiesel. However, the high cost of nutrients is a major limitation. In this study, corncob extract (CCE) was used as an inorganic and organic nutrient source for the mass cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris). Chemical composition analysis of CCE revealed that it contained sufficient nutrients for mixotrophic cultivation of C. vulgaris. The highest specific grow rate of C. vulgaris was obtained at pH of 7-8, temperature of 25-30°C, and CCE amount of 5 g/L. In the analysis using various growth models, Luong model was found to be the most suitable empirical formula for mass cultivation of C. vulgaris using CCE. Analysis of biomass and production of triacyglycerol showed that microalgae grown in CCE medium produced more than 17.23% and 3% more unsaturated fatty acids than cells cultured in Jaworski's Medium. These results suggest that growing microalgae in CCE-supplemented medium can increase lipid production. Therefore, CCE, agricultural byproduct, has potential use for mass cultivation of microalgae.

Enhancing the biomass production of microalgae by mixotrophic cultivation using virgin coconut oil mill effluent

“…Saccharide and acetate are generally used as carbon sources for microalgae cultivation. Among them, the most commonly used carbon source is carbohydrate in the form of glucose [19]. However, the high cost of glucose leads to an infective and inefficient way to conduct.…”

“…Many studies also have reported the increasing in microalgae biomass by mixotrophic and utilization of glycerol during cultivation as followed: Chlorella vulgaris in real centrate wastewater [9], Chlorella in dairy wastes [20], C. protothecoides in dairy wastes [11,12], Chlorella sp. in palm oil mill effluent [21], Phaeodactylum tricornitum and Chlorella vulgaris with glycerol addition as carbon source [19,22]. However, the study of cultivating microalgae in VCO mill effluent has not been further probed with the addition of glucose:glycerol at various concentrations.…”

De novo transcriptome analysis of Chlorella sorokiniana: effect of glucose assimilation, and moderate light intensity

“…In an attempt to induce the formation of higher metabolite production such as pigments, and lipid production, manipulation of carbon source, and light intensity were commonly used 5 – 7 . Carbon sources like glucose, glycerol, or acetate have contributed to increased biomass, and lipid productivity of microalgae 11 , 12 . Light intensity also influences microalgal growth, and the biochemical composition of cells through the process of photo-acclimation, and photo-adaptation 13 , 14 .…”

“…or acetate have contributed to increased biomass, and lipid productivity of microalgae 11,12 . Light intensity also influences microalgal growth, and the biochemical composition of cells through the process of photo-acclimation, and photo-adaptation 13,14 .…”