Publication Date:
2017-12-29
Description:
Energies, Vol. 11, Pages 54: Potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum for Biodiesel Production under Natural Conditions in Chile Energies doi: 10.3390/en11010054 Authors: Monique Branco-Vieira Sergio San Martin Cristian Agurto Marco Santos Marcos Freitas Teresa Mata António Martins Nídia Caetano 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.
Electronic ISSN:
1996-1073
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
