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Microalgae harvesting by flotation using natural saponin and chitosan
H Agnes Kurniawati1, Suryadi Ismadji2, J C Liu1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43 Keelung Road, Section 4, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Bioresource Technology
|June 18, 2014
Summary
Dispersed air flotation (DiAF) effectively harvests microalgae using saponin and chitosan. This method efficiently separates microalgae and algogenic organic matter (AOM), showing promise for biorefineries.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Microalgae harvesting is crucial for biorefinery applications.
- Current methods face challenges in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Natural compounds offer sustainable alternatives for microalgae separation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microalgae harvesting using dispersed air flotation (DiAF).
- To evaluate the efficacy of saponin as a collector and chitosan as a flocculant.
- To assess the removal of algogenic organic matter (AOM).
Main Methods:
- Utilized two microalgae species: Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus.
- Employed dispersed air flotation (DiAF) with saponin and chitosan.
- Optimized concentrations of saponin (20 mg/L) and chitosan (5 mg/L) for separation.
Main Results:
- Saponin alone was an ineffective collector but a good frother.
- Pre-flocculation with 5 mg/L chitosan enhanced separation efficiency to >93% with 20 mg/L saponin.
- Achieved >54.4% polysaccharide and >73.0% protein removal.
Conclusions:
- DiAF with saponin and chitosan is a highly effective method for microalgae harvesting.
- The process efficiently removes microalgae and algogenic organic matter (AOM).
- This technique holds significant potential for integrated microalgae-based biorefineries.
