Abstract
Two species of Chlorophyceae, Ankistrodesmus gracilis and Haemotococcus pluvialis, were used to compare and evaluate the effect of sugarcane molasses as a carbon source. Highest cell density in the two microalgae culture media was obtained in commercial culture media (CHU12 and WC). During exponential growth (day 1 to day 10), high cell density in H. pluvialis was detected for E. crassipes culture medium ranging between 0.4 x 105 cells mL-1 and 1.7 x 105 cells mL-1. Culture media were fundamental for growth under mixotrophic cultivation. Sugarcane molasses showed different results for the two microalgae with regard to growth performance, lipid and protein levels. Rates were high for H. pluvialis except lipid at the end of the experiment. In fact, A. gracilis presented almost double the lipid levels. Sugarcane molasses may be an alternative carbon source in laboratory conditions.
Highlights
The optimization and the reduction of production costs are crucial for the implementation of a successful algal crop
10 days of cultivation, high cell density of Haematococcus pluvialis was observed in Eichhornia crassipes (EC) culture medium, ranging between 0.4 x 105 cells mL-1 and 1.7 x 105 cells mL-1, whilst in WC and NPK culture media ranged between 0.5 x 105 cells mL-1 and 1.3 x 105 cells mL-1 and between 0.3 x 105 cells mL-1 and 1 x 105 cells mL-1, respectively (Figure 1)
In EC alternative culture medium for H. pluvialis microalgae, the highest cell density was obtained during growth exponential phase
Summary
The optimization and the reduction of production costs are crucial for the implementation of a successful algal crop. Alternative sources, such as inorganic fertilizers, aquatic plants and sugarcane molasses, are being used to reduce production costs and increase algal biomass. In the case of the economic biomass cultivation of microalgae, it is necessary to explore the possibility of using a low-cost carbon source such as sugarcane molasses. Organic carbon sources such as glucose or acetate are usually expensive. Molasses consist of 50% total sugars, predominantly sucrose, since they contain significant amounts of reducing sugars such as glucose, fructose and other carbohydrates (Piasecka et al, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
