Characterization and Analysis of Malaysian Macroalgae Biomass as Potential Feedstock for Bio-Oil Production

Abstract

The potential of Caulerpa lentillifera, Gracilaria coronopifolia and Chaetomorpha linum, as biomass feedstock was investigated in this study. It was concluded that seaweed is more suitable for bio-based products synthesis, i.e., bioplastic and bio-lubricants, instead of biofuels due to its relatively low calorific value (~12 MJ/kg). Since seaweed has high moisture content (~80%), hydrothermal liquefaction is recommended, and its efficiency can be further enhanced through microwave technology. Besides, it is found that the thermal degradation of seaweed was best described with the reaction order of 1. The kinetic results also indicated that seaweed consists of lower activation energy (<30 kJ/mol) in comparison with terrestrial biomass (50–170 kJ/mol). Hence, seaweed has a high potential to be used as biomass feedstock, particularly Chaetomorpha linum, as it has no conflict with other interests. Lastly, acetic-acid pre-treatment was suggested to be an optional process in order to increase the algal conversion efficiency as it can reduce up to 25% of ash content.

Applications of algae for environmental sustainability: Novel bioplastic formulation method from marine green alga

“…At the higher heating rate, the reaction time became shorter and, hence, a higher temperature was required for the evolution of volatiles from the biomass samples, whereas at a low heating rate, a longer residence time and greater instantaneous energy were available for the volatiles evolved from the biomass (Waheed et al, 2015). In line with our findings, Ong et al (2019) reported a low calorific value for algae and excellent mechanical and thermal properties and suggested their use for the production of biopolymers. The authors also performed TGA of the algal biomass in this study, where three species of seaweed used as a feedstock were exposed to different heating rates of 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C/min.…”

“…Marine algae are currently being exploited in different industries (El Semary, 2020;El Semary, 2021), the most recent application of which is bioplastic production (Abdul Khalil et al, 2017;El Semary, 2021). (Gai et al, 2013;Ling et al, 2016;Bin Yusoff, 2017;Youning et al, 2018;Abdo and Ali, 2019;Amin et al, 2019;Ong et al, 2019;Filiciotto andRothenberg, 2021 andNikiema andAsiedu, 2022) Algae and plants usually contain starch and cellulose as the starting materials for bioplastic formation, which are completely biodegradable (Abdul Khalil et al, 2017;Devadas et al, 2021;Zanchetta et al, 2021). Macroalgae can be used in the formation of bioplastics mostly through using their derivatives (Devadas et al, 2021;Zanchetta et al, 2021).…”

Efficiency of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles with Different Pretreatments for Enhancing Biogas Yield of Macroalgae Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus

“…The peak around 1429 cm −1 could be attributed to the aromatic structure’s C–C stretching vibration. The peak at 1083 cm −1 is typical of aliphatic amines’ C–N and C–O–C stretching vibrations, indicating the presence of proteins and polysaccharides [ 46 , 47 ]. The FTIR spectra show that raw seaweed displayed high stretching vibration peaks corresponding to the O–H and N–H groups (3454 cm −1 ).…”

Neuroprotective activity of macroalgal fucofuroeckols against amyloid β peptide‐induced cell death and oxidative stress

“…Brown seaweed are considered versatile and can be sustainably used as a potential source for various applications worldwide including biomass feedstock, conversion into green biofuels, aqua and animal feed, active ingredients in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products along with integration in the human food chain (Chia et al ., 2018; Ong et al ., 2019; Biris‐Dorhoi et al ., 2020). Brown seaweed has been used as a dietary and functional food for centuries, especially in Asian countries where consumption can reach 1 kg of dry weight per person annually (Tamama, 2021).…”