Engineering strategies for improving the CO2 fixation and carbohydrate productivity of Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N used for bioethanol fermentation

Shih Hsin Ho, Akihiko Kondo, Tomohisa Hasunuma, Jo Shu Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Engineering strategies were applied to improve the cell growth, CO2 fixation ability, and carbohydrate productivity of a Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N isolate. The resulting carbohydrate-rich microalgal biomass was subsequently utilized as feedstock for ethanol fermentation. The microalga was cultivated with 2.5% CO2 in a photobioreactor on different operation modes. Semi-batch operations with 50% replacement of culture medium resulted in the highest CO2 fixation rate (1546.7mg L-1d-1), carbohydrate productivity (467.6mg L-1d-1), and bioethanol yield (0.202g/g biomass). This performance is better than most reported values in the literature. The microalgal biomass can accumulate nearly 50% carbohydrates, as glucose accounted for nearly 80% of the total carbohydrate content. This glucose-predominant carbohydrate composition of the microalga is well suited for fermentative bioethanol production. Therefore, using the proposed carbohydrate-rich microalgal biomass both as the carbon sink and as the feedstock provides a feasible alternative to current carbon-reduction and bioethanol-production strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-171
Number of pages9
JournalBioresource technology
Volume143
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Sept

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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

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