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Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass
Published on: June 24, 2016
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Exploring different processes for starch extraction from microalgae and synthesis of starch-chitosan plastic films
Fabrizio Di Caprio1, Nooshin Pedram1, Benedetta Brugnoli1
1Department of Chemistry, University Sapienza of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Bioresource Technology
|September 23, 2024
Summary
Microalgae offer a sustainable alternative to conventional crops for starch production. Innovative biorefinery processes were developed to extract microalgal starch for creating tailored bioplastics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional starch sources face sustainability challenges.
- Microalgae present a promising, renewable alternative for starch production.
- Efficient microalgal starch refining processes are currently limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate innovative biorefinery processes for microalgal starch extraction.
- To produce starch-based bioplastics from refined microalgal starch.
- To investigate the influence of different refining routes on starch purity and bioplastic properties.
Main Methods:
- Lipid extraction from microalgae followed by defatting.
- Enzymatic treatment using Alcalase for protein extraction.
- Sonication in hot water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for starch recovery.
- Ethanol precipitation for starch isolation.
- Incorporation of chitosan to enhance bioplastic film properties.
Main Results:
- Enzymatic treatment recovered 75% of starch with 58% purity.
- Sonication-assisted extraction yielded up to 80% starch with 80-91% purity.
- Chitosan addition improved the mechanical properties of starch-based films.
- Tailored bioplastic properties (rigidity, water stability) were achieved by varying refining routes.
Conclusions:
- Developed biorefinery processes enable efficient microalgal starch extraction.
- Starch-based bioplastics with tunable properties can be produced from microalgae.
- Microalgae represent a viable and sustainable feedstock for bioplastic production.
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