A novel lipids recovery strategy for biofuels generation on microalgae Chlorella cultivation with waste molasses. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yew, Guo Yong; Khoo, Kuan Shiong; Chia, Wen Yi; Ho, Yeek-Chia; Law, Chung Lim; Leong, Hui Yi; Show, Pau Loke
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 38(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Biofuels -- Cell wall -- Microalgae -- Acid disruption -- Lipids recovery; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101665
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Microalgae cultivation with waste molasses shown reduction on COD, TSS and nitrate. Lipid recovery up to 92.84 % of recovery and 8.3 folds for the enhancement value. The system has shown potential of removal of Sulphur content at the biomass. A potential disruptive-extraction method for direct conversion of lipids into FAME. Abstract: This study demonstrated a novel approach of lipids extraction with simultaneous biofuels conversion on microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana CY-1 cultivation using waste molasses as culture medium. The lipid extraction process was based on a hybrid liquid biphasic system (HLBS) which comprises of disruptive and extractive solvents in a single system. The microalgae cultivation with waste molasses showed a reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS) and nitrate content on the waste medium (61.48 %, 63.94 % and 63.79 %, respectively). Additionally, a prompt lipids extraction with a recovery of 92.84 % and a cell disruption enhancement of 8.3-fold in the organic solvent phase was attained. The acid-treated C. sorokiniana CY-1 biomass showed a composition of carbon at 61.3 %, oxygen at 33.2 %, nitrogen at 5.5 % and potassium at 0.12 %. Sulphur content was not detected in the microalgae biomass and this had aided the production of fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) which was observed by a gas chromatographic-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) profile. A disruptive-extraction method using acid assisted phase on HLBS showed potential for direct conversion of lipids into FAME to produce biofuels for engine combustion.