A multifaceted approach towards valorizing diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, cultivated on diluted municipal wastewater for enhanced biodiesel production. (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar Singh, Pankaj; Bhattacharjya, Raya; Mishra, Bharti; Saxena, Abhishek; Tiwari, Archana
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 328(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Diatom -- Biodiesel -- Biomass valorization -- Circular economy -- Wastewater remediation; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cultivation of T. weissflogii in wastewater and synthetic culture media established. A significant reduction in nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, and hardness was observed. Enhanced production of monounsaturated fatty acids (47.45%) in 50% wastewater. Growth of T. weissflogii in simulated medium proposed as ideal feedstock for biofuels. Abstract: Microalgae-mediated integrated approach of reducing effluent load as well as producing high density biomass for varied bio-refineries has been considered a sustainable and carbon efficient strategy worldwide. This study highlights the growth and nutrient removal potential of Thalassiosira weissflogii cultivated in a simulated medium comprising of different proportions of municipal wastewater and artificial seawater enriched with f /2 and metasilicate. The results indicate that the highest cell density was recorded on the fourteenth day in the 50 % setup (63×10 5 cells mL −1 ) followed by the 30 % setup (53.8×10 5 cells mL −1 ). Also, an increase in both protein (83.7±0.3 mgg −1 ), as well as carbohydrate (16.94±0.091 mgg −1 ) content, was obtained in the 30 % experimental setup. A considerable removal of nutrients like nitrate nitrogen (26.8±0.6 %), and total phosphorous (105.5±1.9 %) was reported in the 50 % wastewater and seawater setups. Although the total lipid % DW was maximum in the control group (35.2 %), the content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was substantially high (47 %) in the 50 % culture setup. Thus, this high MUFA-producing, commercially viable, and adaptable strain could serve as a promising source of biodiesel feedstock, promoting a circular sustainable economy.