Chlorella minutissima cultivation with CO₂ and pentoses: Effects on kinetic and nutritional parameters

CO₂ emissions and the large quantity of lignocellulosic waste generated by industrialized nations constitute problems that may affect human health as well as the global economy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of using CO₂ and pentoses on the growth, protein profile, carbohydrate content and potential ethanol production by fermentation of Chlorella minutissima biomass. CO₂ and pentose supplementation can induce changes in the microalgal protein profile. A biomass production of 1.84g.L^-1 and a CO₂ biofixation rate of 274.63mg.L^-1.d^-1 were obtained with the use of 20% (v.v^-1) CO₂. For cultures with 20% (v.v^-1) CO₂ and reduced nitrogen, the carbohydrate content was 52.3% (w.w^-1), and theoretically, 33.9mL.100g^-1 of ethanol can be produced. These results demonstrate that C. minutissima cultured with the combined use of CO₂ and pentoses generates a biomass with high bioenergetic potential.