Abstract
In this study, fatty acids profile was determined in four algal species; namely Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis and Pterocladiella capillacea (Rhodophyta) which were collected from two sites (Abu-Qir Bay and Eastern Harbor) located on the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea during the four seasons in the period (2011-2012). In addition, nutrient content in the algal species (total nitrogen and phosphorus) and the environmental conditions of the ambient sea water were measured to find out their effect on the algal fatty acids content. The nitrogen content in algal species was almost equal in both sites. In contrast, the phosphorus content was higher in Abu-Qir (0.33-1.71%) than in Eastern Harbor (0.21-0.74%). The fatty acids profile showed different correlations with water’s physico-chemical properties. The fatty acids profile of the four algal species revealed high content of SFAs against MUFA and PUFA in both sites. Consequently, the algae were screened to define the suitable site, season and species for the highest quality and quantity of biodiesel production. Biodiesel physical properties; the Degree of Unsaturation (DU), Long Chain Saturation Factor (LCSF), Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), Iodine Value (IV), Saponification Value (SV), the Cetane Number (CN), Kinematic viscosity (υ), density (ρ), the Higher Heating Value (HHV), C18:3% (wt%) and double bond Db ≥4(wt%) were calculated. All the investigated algae showed biodiesel properties that follow the standard values set for optimum biodiesel, with the green alga U. faciata collected from Abu-Qir during winter, as the best choice for producing biodiesel; whereas, the extracted fatty acids from Corallina officinalis is more suitable to be used for production of blenders, which can be added to the petroleum diesel in order to increase its quality, oxidative stability and octane number.
Highlights
The growing concern on depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental effects of burning, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, have led to search for viable renewable fuel alternatives, which should be eco-friendly fuel unlike petrodiesel (Trivedi et al, 2013)
Biodiesel is an alternative liquid fuel produced by a chemical reaction between a vegetable oil or animal fat with a short chain alcohol, called transesterification producing fatty acid methyl ester, where it can be used in diesel engines blended with standard gasoil or alone (Marchetti et al, 2007)
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of different seaweeds for biodiesel production and the impact of the spatial and temporal variations on biodiesel quality
Summary
The growing concern on depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental effects of burning, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, have led to search for viable renewable fuel alternatives, which should be eco-friendly fuel unlike petrodiesel (Trivedi et al, 2013). Many of the waste-product extracts produced during the processing of algae for biofuel can be used as a sufficient animal feed This is an effective way to minimize waste and a much cheaper alternative to the more traditional corn or grain based feeds (Pienkos and Darzins, 2009). They are more productive than terrestrial plants and can succeed in salty or brackish water with only sunlight and available nutrients; they do not need any chemical fertilizers. Recent researches around the world focused on algae for biofuel production; either bioehanol (Goh and Lee, 2010), biogas (Hughes et al, 2012), or biodiesel (Maceiras et al, 2011)
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