Abstract
The development of clean and renewable energy sources is currently one of the most important challenges facing the world. Although research interests in algae-based energy have been increasing in the last decade, only a small percentage of the bewildering diversity exhibited by microalgae has been investigated for biodiesel production. In this work, seven strains of green microalgae belonging to the genera Scenedesmus, Tetradesmus and Desmodesmus were grown in liquid medium with or without a nitrogen (N) source—at two different irradiances (120 ± 20 and 200 ± 20 μmol photons m−2 s−1)—to evaluate biomass production and FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) content for biodiesel production. The strains of Tetradesmus obliquus and Desmodesmus abundans grown in N-deprived medium showed the highest FAME content (22.0% and 34.6%, respectively); lipid profile characterization highlighted the abundance of saturated FAME (as C16:0 and C18:0) that favors better viscosity (flow properties) and applicability of biodiesel at low temperatures. Light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy observations were employed as a fast method to monitor the vital status of cells and lipid droplet accumulation after Nile red staining in different culture conditions.
Highlights
The energy requirements of the transport sector are growing worldwide
Seven strains of green microalgae belonging to the genera Scenedesmus, Tetradesmus and Desmodesmus were grown in liquid medium with or without a nitrogen (N) source—at two different irradiances (120 ± 20 and 200 ± 20 μmol photons m−2 s−1)—to evaluate biomass production and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content for biodiesel production
Nzayisenga et al (2020) [4] demonstrated that the highest biomass production for Chlorella vulgaris, Ettlia pseudoalveolaris and S. obliquus was at 150 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and at 300 μmol photons m−2 s−1 for Desmodesmus sp, while the lowest production was at 50 μmol photons m−2 s−1 for all species, as reported in our study
Summary
The energy requirements of the transport sector are growing worldwide. there is a continuous increase in the demand for fuel. The pollution problems and the impact on the environment of the use of fossil fuels have highlighted the need for alternative energy sources. 90% of global energy demand is fulfilled by fossil fuels, which are on the verge of depletion and can be replaced by viable alternatives, such as biofuels [1,2] that could be capable of reducing the petroleum requirement [3]. Algae biodiesel contains no sulfur and performs as well as petroleum diesel, while reducing emissions of particulate matter, CO, hydrocarbons and SOx [6]. The selection of suitable strains of green microalgae that combine high growth rate, good biomass productivity, high lipid content and resistance to stress conditions still remains a challenge for large-scale cultivation and biodiesel production
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