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Author Spotlight: Optimizing Growth Factors for Production of Biotechnologically Relevant Secondary Metabolites
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Effective harvesting of microalgae by coagulation-flotation.
Ling Xia1, Yinta Li2,3, Rong Huang2
1Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, People's Republic of China.
Royal Society Open Science
|January 2, 2018
Summary
This study optimized a coagulation-flotation process for harvesting microalgae Chlorella sp. XJ-445. The method achieved 98.73% recovery efficiency, even with dissolved organic matter present, enhancing fatty acid conversion.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Microalgae harvesting is crucial for biofuel and bioproduct applications.
- Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can interfere with efficient microalgae harvesting.
- Developing cost-effective and efficient harvesting methods is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a coagulation-flotation process for Chlorella sp. XJ-445 microalgae harvesting.
- To investigate the effect of Al3+ and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on microalgae flotation.
- To assess the efficiency of the process in the presence of dissolved organic matter.
Main Methods:
- Microalgae surface modification using combined Al3+ and CTAB.
- Dispersed bubble flotation technique.
- Optimization of coagulant (Al3+) and collector (CTAB) dosage.
- Characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM).
- Analysis of algal floc size and hydrophobicity using DLVO modeling.
Main Results:
- Optimized process achieved 98.73% flotation recovery efficiency for Chlorella sp. XJ-445.
- Combined Al3+ and CTAB treatment enhanced algal floc size and hydrophobicity.
- Effective harvesting was demonstrated even in the presence of DOM.
- Improved fatty acid conversion was observed with the optimized process.
Conclusions:
- The developed coagulation-flotation process is a promising strategy for high-efficiency microalgae harvesting.
- The combined use of Al3+ and CTAB effectively modifies algal surfaces for improved flotation.
- This method offers a potential solution for microalgae harvesting challenges posed by DOM.
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