Chemical Characterization of Microcystis aeruginosa for Feed and Energy Uses

Larissa Souza Passos, Éryka Costa Almeida, Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira, Alessandro Alberto Casazza, Attilio Converti and Ernani Pinto
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Larissa Souza Passos: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bl. 17, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
Éryka Costa Almeida: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bl. 17, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira: Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Bio-Forensic Research Group, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas 96010-900, Brazil
Alessandro Alberto Casazza: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Pole of Chemical Engineering, Università degli Studi di Genova (UNIGE), via Opera Pia 15, I-16145 Genova, Italy
Attilio Converti: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Pole of Chemical Engineering, Università degli Studi di Genova (UNIGE), via Opera Pia 15, I-16145 Genova, Italy
Ernani Pinto: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bl. 17, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Cyanobacterial blooms and strains absorb carbon dioxide, drawing attention to its use as feed for animals and renewable energy sources. However, cyanobacteria can produce toxins and have a low heating value. Herein, we studied a cyanobacterial strain harvested during a bloom event and analyzed it to use as animal feed and a source of energy supply. The thermal properties and the contents of total nitrogen, protein, carbohydrate, fatty acids, lipid, and the presence of cyanotoxins were investigated in the Microcystis aeruginosa LTPNA 01 strain and in a bloom material. Microcystins (hepatotoxins) were not detected in this strain nor in the bloom material by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that degradation reactions (devolatilization) initiated at around 180 °C, dropping from approximately 90% to 20% of the samples’ mass. Our work showed that despite presenting a low heating value, both biomass and non-toxic M. aeruginosa LTPNA 01 could be used as energy sources either by burning or producing biofuels. Both can be considered a protein and carbohydrate source similar to some microalgae species as well as biomass fuel. It could also be used as additive for animal feed; however, its safety and potential adverse health effects should be further investigated.

Keywords: biomass energy; carbon dioxide biofixation; fatty acids; livestock feed; Microcystis; proteins (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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