Bioethanol production from Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 grown in unsterilized swine wastewater

Paula Isabel G. Acebu, Mark Daniel G. de Luna, Chun Yen Chen, Ralf Ruffel M. Abarca, Jih Heng Chen, Jo Shu Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The potential of microalgae to remove nutrients from swine wastewater and accumulate carbohydrates was examined. Chlorella sorokiniana AK-1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 were grown in 10% unsterilized swine wastewater and obtained a maximum carbohydrate content and productivity of 42.5% and 189 mg L−1d−1, respectively. At 25% wastewater and 25% BG-11 concentration, the maximum carbohydrate productivity and total nitrogen removal efficiency of C. vulgaris ESP-31 were improved to 266 mg L−1d−1 and 54.2%, respectively. Further modifications in light intensity, inoculum size, and harvesting period enhanced the biomass growth, carbohydrate concentration, and total nitrogen assimilation to 3.6 gL−1, 1.8 gL−1, and 92.2%, respectively. Ethanol fermentation of the biomass resulted in bioethanol yield and concentration of 84.2% and 4.2 gL−1, respectively. Overall, unsterilized swine wastewater was demonstrated as a cost-effective nutrient source for microalgal cultivation which further increases the economic feasibility and environmental compatibility of bioethanol production with concomitant swine wastewater treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Article number127086
JournalBioresource technology
Volume352
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 May

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

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