Sustainable Microalgal Harvesting Process Applying Opuntia cochenillifera: Process Parameters Optimization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Rodrigues, JRD (Author) Other; Santos, RD (Author) Other; Matos, RA (Author) Other; Pires, JCM (Author) FEUP; Salgado, EM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Applied Sciences

Vol. 13

Final page: 1203

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

PhotoBioValue - Efeito da luz na configuração de fotobiorreatores para o cultivo de microalgas: aumento da eficiência fotossintética e valorização da biomassa

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-R97

DOI: 10.3390/app13021203

Abstract (EN): Microalgae harvesting by coagulation can use coagulant agents such as alum, synthetic polymers or biocoagulants. Biocoagulants have attracted the attention of researchers because they are natural, biodegradable, and promote high microalgal harvesting efficiencies. This study aims to optimize the harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris based on the dosage of the Opuntia cochenillifera extract and the choice of eluent for biopolymer extraction. The outdoor cultivation of C. vulgaris achieved a specific growth rate of 0.455 d(-1) and a maximum biomass concentration of 1.28 g(DW) L-1. In order to harvest the microalgal biomass, the polymer present in the mucilage of O. cochenillifera was extracted using NaOH and HCl. Coagulation and sedimentation assays were performed with different coagulant dosages: 3.5, 5.9, and 8.2 g L-1. The maximum harvesting efficiencies using the acid and alkaline extract coagulant solutions were 80.8% and 99.5%, respectively, with a dosage of 3.5 g L-1. According to the results, the C. vulgaris biomass can be harvested with the mucilage from O. cochenillifera in acid and alkaline eluents. The application of this biocoagulant constitutes a sustainable solution for microalgal harvesting.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12