Abstract
In this paper, the efficiency of lipid extraction from macrophytes (Chaetomorpha linum, Ulva laetevirens, Valonia aegagrophyla, Gracilariopsis longissima, Ruppia cirrhosa) for the biodiesel production is evaluated using four different methods based on the Accelerated Solvent Extraction technique. Both wet and dried tissues are extracted and effects induced on lipid recovery by the pressure and the solvent mixture selection are evaluated. Results evidenced that better extraction performance is obtained using a polar/hydrophobic solvent mixture (1:1 v/v). Accelerate Solvent Extraction technique significantly improves the total amount of lipid extracted from macrophytes tissues even if average values are about 2% of the dry weight. Observed efficiencies are far from the productive standards required by the industrial process; nevertheless, lipid extraction from macrophytes could represent an interesting step of a much more complex biomass recycling process which could include, besides biodiesel, also, the production of other commercial materials as well as pigments and biosorbents.
Highlights
The possibility to produce renewable biofuels as well as methane and biodiesel by the extraction of oils from aquatic microalgae represents a target of particular scientific [1], commercial [2,3] and environmental concern due to the chance to substitute a meaningful share of fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving efficiency and sustainability [4]
A recent research performed to compare energetic and economic sustainability of oil extraction yields evidenced that the production of oil from sunflower seeds is feasible with respect to macroalgae
The aim of this study is to evaluate, in the Orbetello lagoon, oil extraction efficiency of different extraction procedures comparing results obtained by the extraction of four different common macroalgae (Chaetomorpha linum, Ulva laetevirens, Valonia aegagrophyla, Gracilariopsis longissima) and one phanerogams species (Ruppia cirrhosa)
Summary
The possibility to produce renewable biofuels as well as methane and biodiesel by the extraction of oils from aquatic microalgae represents a target of particular scientific [1], commercial [2,3] and environmental concern due to the chance to substitute a meaningful share of fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving efficiency and sustainability [4]. Efficiency observed in uncontrolled natural systems is low principally due to the high variability of biomass quality and the total amount of oils extracted [7] For this reason, researches were focalized on artificial controlled ecosystems [5]. Natural aquatic and uncontrolled ecosystems (i.e. coastal lagoons and estuaries) evidence a natural tendency to eutrophic conditions and high primary productivity rates. In the Orbetello lagoon (Italy), between 2002 and 2006 on average 27098.02 tons of macroalgae have been harvested (6774 tons/year) [8] with an associated expense of about 600,000 euros/year [9] In these ecosystems, the chance to transform an actual important economic expense into a possible resource represents an interesting field for administrators and researchers.
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