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Kappaphycus alvarezii as a source of bioethanol
Yasmin Khambhaty1, Kalpana Mody, Mahesh R Gandhi
1Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar 364 021, Gujarat, India.
Bioresource Technology
|November 5, 2011
Summary
This study demonstrates efficient bio-ethanol production from red algae Kappaphycus alvarezii. Seaweed-derived ethanol and bio-fertilizer offer a sustainable alternative to land-based biofuels.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Marine Resources
Background:
- Traditional bio-ethanol production relies on land-based crops, leading to competition with food resources.
- Exploring alternative, non-food biomass sources is crucial for sustainable biofuel development.
- Marine macroalgae, like Kappaphycus alvarezii, represent an abundant and underutilized resource.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of producing bio-ethanol from the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii.
- To optimize the saccharification and fermentation processes for maximal ethanol yield.
- To evaluate the potential of co-producing bio-fertilizer alongside bio-ethanol.
Main Methods:
- Red algae (Kappaphycus alvarezii) were processed to extract sap (bio-fertilizer) and saccharify residual biomass using sulfuric acid.
- Hydrolysates were treated to achieve desired reducing sugar concentrations, neutralized, and desalted via electrodialysis.
- Fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae converted reducing sugars to ethanol at laboratory and bench scales.
Main Results:
- Saccharification yields reached 26.2% (lab scale) and 30.6% (bench scale).
- Fermentation achieved approximately 80% conversion of reducing sugars to ethanol with high selectivity.
- Seaweed-based ethanol was successfully used to run a petrol vehicle with E10 gasoline.
Conclusions:
- Kappaphycus alvarezii is a viable source for bio-ethanol production.
- Co-production of bio-ethanol and bio-fertilizer from seaweed offers a promising sustainable alternative.
- This approach could reduce reliance on land-based resources for biofuel generation.
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