Abstract
A multifunctional polysaccharide-based hydrogel was studied as an additive for enhancing microalgae growth. The hydrogel was fabricated by physically and chemically crosslinking renewable ingredients of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), arrowroot starch, and activated biochar modified with iron using a bio-crosslinker of oxidized sucrose and a plasticizer of glycerol. The optimum formula for the hydrogel with a high swelling ratio, BET surface area, and electrical conductivity was found to include 1 g starch, 3 g CMC, 1.5 g biochar, 15 mL oxidized sucrose, and 1.5 mL glycerol in 200 mL deionized water. The algal yield and cell concentration after 14 days of growth in a Bold basal medium with an optimum concentration of 2.5 g hydrogel/L increased by 65.7 % and 92.2 %, respectively, compared to those of the control without the hydrogel. However, if the hydrogel concentration in the culture increased to 12.5 g/L, the algal yield was decreased by 67.8 % compared to the control due to oxidative injury. The hydrogel additive could significantly increase the nitrogen but decrease the carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur contents of the microalgae. The algal yield with 2.5 g/L hydrogel additive improved by 13.9 % compared to the algal yield with the same amounts of individual non–crosslinked hydrogel ingredients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.