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Improvement in Methane Production from Pelagic Sargassum Using Combined Pretreatments
Karla Daniela Chikani-Cabrera1, Patricia Machado Bueno Fernandes2, Raúl Tapia-Tussell1
1Renewable Energy Unit, Yucatan Center for Scientific Research, Carretera Sierra Papacal-Chuburná Puerto, Km 5, Sierra Papacal, Mérida 97302, Mexico.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Sargassum seaweed can be converted into biofuel. Optimized pretreatment methods significantly improved biomethane yield, offering a sustainable solution for managing excessive seaweed blooms.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Recurrent Sargassum blooms in the Mexican Caribbean impact marine ecosystems and local economies.
- Sargassum is a potential third-generation feedstock for biofuel production.
- Hydrolysis is a limiting step in Sargassum's energetic conversion due to its complex composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate physical, chemical, and enzymatic pretreatments for optimizing biomethane yield from Sargassum.
- To assess the impact of granular activated carbon on methane yield and quality.
- To identify the most effective pretreatment strategy for Sargassum-to-biofuel conversion.
Main Methods:
- Investigated various physical, chemical (2.5% hydrogen peroxide), and enzymatic (Trametes hirsuta extract) pretreatments.
- Evaluated combined pretreatment strategies.
- Assessed the effect of granular activated carbon as a conductive material.
Main Results:
- A combined pretreatment of 2.5% hydrogen peroxide followed by enzymatic treatment achieved 95% biodegradability.
- The optimal pretreatment resulted in a maximum methane yield of 387 ± 3.09 L CH4/kg volatile solid.
- Granular activated carbon did not significantly alter methane yield or concentration.
Conclusions:
- Combined chemical and enzymatic pretreatment is highly effective for enhancing biomethane production from Sargassum.
- This method offers a promising avenue for sustainable management and utilization of Sargassum biomass.
- Further research could explore scaling up this process for industrial biofuel production.
