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Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
Microalgae as a raw material for biofuels production
Luisa Gouveia1, Ana Cristina Oliveira
1Departamento de Energias Renováveis, Instituto Nacional de Engenharia, Tecnologia e Inovação, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, 22, 1649-038, Lisbon, Portugal. luisa.gouveia@ineti.pt
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
|November 5, 2008
Summary
Microalgae are a promising source for next-generation biofuels, offering high oil yields and sustainable cultivation. Neochloris oleabundans and Nannochloropsis sp. show significant potential for biodiesel production.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Growing demand for biofuels to reduce emissions and energy dependence.
- Conventional biodiesel production relies on oleaginous crops, facing sustainability challenges.
- Microalgae present a viable alternative feedstock for advanced biofuel generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen microalgae species for their suitability as oil sources for biofuel production.
- To identify microalgae with high oil content and favorable fatty acid profiles.
- To assess the impact of nitrogen-limited conditions on microalgal oil accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Screening of six microalgae species: Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina maxima, Nannochloropsis sp., Neochloris oleabundans, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Dunaliella tertiolecta.
- Evaluation of oil quantity and quality for biofuel potential.
- Cultivation under nitrogen-shortage conditions to assess oil yield enhancement.
Main Results:
- Neochloris oleabundans (29.0% oil) and Nannochloropsis sp. (28.7% oil) demonstrated high suitability for biofuel production.
- Nitrogen shortage significantly increased oil content by approximately 50% in tested microalgae.
- Scenedesmus obliquus exhibited an advantageous fatty acid profile for biodiesel, particularly for linolenic and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Conclusions:
- Neochloris oleabundans and Nannochloropsis sp. are excellent candidates for microalgal biofuel production.
- Optimizing cultivation conditions, such as nitrogen limitation, can substantially boost oil yields.
- A blend of microalgal oils, potentially including Dunaliella tertiolecta, with other sources can be utilized for biodiesel synthesis.
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