Bioenergy potential of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) biomass. Issue 15 (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verma, Rashmi; Suthar, Surindra
• Is Part Of: Energy sources. Volume 38:Issue 15(2016)
• Page Start: 2231
• Page End: 2237
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: HHV -- linoleic acid -- lipid -- palmitic acid -- starch; Natural resources -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Climatic factors -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Environment aspects -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2015.1098750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-7036

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This work illustrates the bioenergy potential of Lemna gibba cultivated on urban wastewater. A reactor (25 L) was established and changes in wastewater and duckweed characteristics were estimated at the end. The reactor showed relative growth rates (RGRs) of 7.47 g/m 2 d, 10.6 g/m 2 d, and 13.63 g/m 2 d after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd weeks with chemical yield rate (g/m 2 d) of starch, protein, and lipid of 4.96, 7.68, and 1.90, respectively. The proximate analysis showed 10.03% moisture, 13.23% ash content, 63.96% volatile matter, and 14.73% fixed carbon. The elemental composition (%) of biomass was as follows: C = 41.67, H = 3.57, N = 3.67, S = 0.83, and O = 32.83. The dried biomass showed a high content (%) of energy molecules: total sugar (38.0), starch (24.5), and lipid (9.3). Gas chromatography of the extracted lipid presented high contents of C16:0-palmitic acid (37.68%), C18:2-linoleic acid (18.11%), and C18:3-linolenic acid (33.76%) in duckweed. Results suggested the potential of Lemna as feedstock for renewable energy operations.