Kinetic modeling of mixotrophic growth of Chlorella vulgaris as a new feedstock for biolubricant

Abstract

As a new interest for biodegradable non-hazardous biolubricant from renewable resources, microalgae lipid is suggested as a new feedstock by introducing the microalgae-based lubricants. Chlorella vulgaris was successfully grown in a cheap substrate-based mixotrophic medium. The kinetic modeling of microalgae growth, lipid production, and substrate consumption was carried out in optimum conditions of biomass productivity and lipid production to enhance microalgae lipid for biolubricant production. Designed models have good compatibility with more than 95 % confidence level when compared to the cultivation system. Validation of the models with additional experiments confirmed the accuracy of the models to predict new conditions. The highest biomass concentration of C. vulgaris was 2.9 g L−1 with a lipid content of 30 % of dry weight. The model proposed for lipid production indicated that the lipid was produced simultaneous with growth. Microalgae lipid had sufficient lubricating property showing that this microalgal lipid could be used as potential feedstock for biolubricant production.