PJB-2018-1030
Mixotrophic cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate
Maleeha Manzoor
Abstract
Overuse of fossil fuel to fulfill energy requirements has generated environmental issues leading to global warming. Increasing environmental problems and exhaustion of fossil resources havestimulated research to explore alternative fuel sources. In this scenario, microalgal biofuels could present a promising alternative fuel if produced cost-effectively and without competing for arable land and freshwater resources. The aim of the present study was to cultivate microalgae on lignocellulosic waste for lipid production that may serve as a feedstock for biodiesel. The microalgal strain Scenedesmus dimorphus NT8c was chosen based on its rapid growth, heat tolerance and ease of harvesting by overnight settling. Its biochemical composition and growth parameters were analyzed when cultivated photoautotrophically and mixotrophically on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, a low-value agricultural by-product that is currently underutilized. Despite a slight increase in turbidity in the medium, S. dimorphus NT8c cultures fed with 5 g/L sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate displayed significantly higher growth rates compared to photoautotrophic cultivation with an overall biomass productivity of 119.5 mg/L/d, protein contents of 34.82% and fatty acid contents of 140.67 mg/g of biomass. As microalgae grown mixotrophically are capable of photosynthesizing while metabolizing and assimilating organic carbon, significant increases of biomass and lipid productivity can be achieved. However, high supplementation with organic carbon can result in unfavorable levels of turbidity and bacterial growth, reducing microalgal biomass productivity.
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