The Production of Ethanol from Micro-Algae Spirulina

Abstract

This study ascertained the technical potential of producing bio fuel from naturally occurring micro algae spirulina. The algae are grown by BCSIR and the collected algae are examined. The growing environment contains nitrates, phosphates and carbon dioxide that come from atmosphere. The overall research work consisted of manual and mechanical drying of algae, grinding and subjecting the algal matter to acid hydrolysis to extract carbohydrates to form an algal sugar solution. Fermentation of that solution was performed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce ethanol. The presents of ethanol in the solution assures the ultimate desired destination of the work. An average of 15.2g/L of reducing sugar was extracted in the hydrolysate showing that microalgae have significant usable carbohydrates after hydrolysis to conduct this research work. Ethanol percentage varies with the variation of hydrolysis time, concentration of sulfuric acid and fermentation time. The average value of ethanol percentage varies between 0.85-1.0 percentamong the samples. Although the ethanol percentage is not economical for this algae but the main task of establishing the process of bio fuel production from micro algae comes to a successful end. This process gives the assurance and defined way of bio fuel production from other carbohydrate enriched micro algae.