Potential of Algal Biomass and Their Cultivation for Biofuels Production as Plausible Bio-resource for Economic Sustainability

Depletion of conventional energy resources necessitates the exploration of new alternative raw materials for sustainable biofuel production to improve socio-economic development. This research focuses on the cultivation of specific algae varieties, biomass quantification, fatty acid profiling, and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Korean journal of chemical engineering 2024, Vol.41 (9), p.2567-2580
Main Authors: Hasnain, Maria, Munir, Neelma, Sharif, Nadia, Dias, Daniel Anthony, Abideen, Zainul, Rizwana, Humaira, Abid, Islem, Jamil, Farrukh, Hussain, Murid, Choi, Yong Jun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Biodiesel fuels
Biofuels
Biomass
Biomass energy production
Biotechnology
Catalysis
Cetane number
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Composition
Cost analysis
Cultivation
Economic development
Energy sources
Esters
Fatty acids
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
Lipids
Materials Science
Original Article
Raw materials
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Summary:Depletion of conventional energy resources necessitates the exploration of new alternative raw materials for sustainable biofuel production to improve socio-economic development. This research focuses on the cultivation of specific algae varieties, biomass quantification, fatty acid profiling, and their potential application in biodiesel production. The study examines diverse emerging algal species, including Ulothrix , Stigeoclonium , Chlorella vulgaris , Cladophora , Oedogonium , Oscillatoria , Spirogyra , and H. reticulatum . Over a 4-week cultivation period, all species demonstrated increased dry biomass, with Ulothrix exhibiting the maximum growth (19 g) and Stigeoclonium the minimum (5 g). Lipid composition analysis by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) indicated varying percentages (% DW) among strains, with Ulothrix sp. displaying the highest lipid content (62.4%). Lipid yields, crucial for biodiesel, followed the order: Ulothrix  >  Stigeoclonium  >  C. vulgaris  >  Cladophora sp. >  Oedogonium  >  Oscillatoria  >  Spirogyra sp. >  H. reticulatum . Further analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) composition using GC–MS revealed 24 detected FAMEs, with percentage ranges for specific fatty acids. The total FAMEs yield reached approximately 98% (w/w) from algal biodiesel, showcasing variations in saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAMEs content among strains. Fatty acid profiles, emphasizing linoleic, stearic, and oleic acids, were analyzed, identifying Cladophora sp., Chlorella vulgaris , and Stigeoclonium sp. as promising biodiesel candidates based on growth rates and fuel properties. All algal strains met or exceeded specifications, except for H. reticulatum in cetane number. Despite highlighting challenges in large-scale algal cultivation for cost-effective biomass production, this study underscores the potential of expanding the algae biorefinery value chain to include advanced biofuels and valuable co-products, presenting a significant global impact on the gross domestic product. Graphical abstract
ISSN:0256-1115
1975-7220
DOI:10.1007/s11814-024-00157-7