Potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum for biodiesel production under natural conditions in Chile

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018-01-01

Authors

Teresa M. Mata (Author) FEUP; António A. Martins (Author) FEUP; Nídia de Sá Caetano (Author) FEUP; Monique Branco Vieira (Author) FEUP; Sergio San Martin (Author) Other; Marcos A. V. Freitas (Author) Other; Cristian Agurto (Author) Other; Marco Aurélio dos Santos (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Energies

Vol. 11 No. 1

Pages: 1-15

ISSN: 1996-1073

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

INSPEC

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering ; Technological sciences

FOS: Engineering and technology

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-G8B

DOI: 10.3390/en11010054

Abstract (EN): : Diatoms are very diverse and highly productive organisms, found in a wide variety of environments. This study aims to analyze the growth and lipid composition of Phaeodactylum tricornutum, cultured in an outdoor pilot-scale bubble column photobioreactor under natural conditions in Chile for biodiesel production. Results showed that P. tricornutum cultures reached their highest biomass concentration (0.96 ± 0.04 kg m−3 ) after 14 days of culturing, at the stationary phase, with a volumetric productivity of 0.13 kg m−3 d −1 . Biomass samples showed a total lipid content of 9.08 ± 0.38 wt %. The fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed a composition of 24.39% C16-C18 fatty acids, 42.34% saturated fatty acids, 21.91% monounsaturated fatty acids and 31.41% polyunsaturated fatty acids. These findings suggest that P. tricornutum oil can be used as an alternative raw material for the production of biodiesel capable of meeting international quality standards.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15