Microalgae Harvesting by Self-Driven 3D Microfiltration with Rationally Designed Porous Superabsorbent Polymer (PSAP)...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Microalgae are a valuable source for sustainable biofuels and bioproducts.
• Conventional microalgae harvesting methods are energy-intensive, costly, and time-consuming.
• There is a need for efficient and cost-effective microalgae harvesting techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate porous superabsorbent polymer (PSAP) beads for microalgae harvesting.
• To evaluate the efficiency and scalability of PSAP beads in concentrating microalgal cultures.
• To present PSAP beads as a viable alternative to conventional harvesting methods.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of porous superabsorbent polymer (PSAP) beads.
• Utilizing PSAP beads for self-driven 3D microfiltration of microalgal cultures.
• Assessing water absorption capacity, cell exclusion, and bead reusability.

Main Results:

• PSAP beads demonstrated rapid swelling and high water absorption.
• Microalgal cells were effectively concentrated outside the beads.
• A concentration factor of up to 13 times was achieved in 30 minutes with >90% harvesting efficiency.
• Biomass concentration increased from 0.2 g L⁻¹ to over 120 g L⁻¹ with minimal loss.

Conclusions:

• PSAP beads provide a fast, effective, and scalable method for microalgae harvesting.
• The technique eliminates the need for complex instruments or chemical additives.
• PSAP beads offer a low-cost, efficient alternative for obtaining high concentrations of functional microalgal biomass.