Potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum for Biodiesel Production under Natural Conditions in Chile

Monique Branco-Vieira, Sergio San Martin, Cristian Agurto, Marco Aurélio dos Santos, Marcos A. V. Freitas, Teresa M. Mata, António A. Martins and Nídia S. Caetano
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Monique Branco-Vieira: Energy Planning Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-914 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sergio San Martin: GIBMAR, Biotechnology Centre, Concepción University, 4070386 Concepción, Chile
Cristian Agurto: GIBMAR, Biotechnology Centre, Concepción University, 4070386 Concepción, Chile
Marco Aurélio dos Santos: Energy Planning Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-914 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Marcos A. V. Freitas: Energy Planning Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-914 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Teresa M. Mata: LEPABE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
António A. Martins: LEPABE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Nídia S. Caetano: CIETI, School of Engineering (ISEP), Polytechnic Institute of Porto (IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal

Energies, 2017, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: bubble column photobioreactor; lipids; microalgae; natural culture conditions; outdoor culture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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