Sustainable Integrated Algal Biomass Biorefinery: Synergistic Macronutrient Optimization and Electro-Flocculation Coagulation Harvesting

Carlos Abraham Díaz-Quiroz, Julia Mariana Márquez-Reyes, Maginot Ngangyo-Heya, Joel Horacio Elizondo-Luevano, Itzel Celeste Romero-Soto, Abel Alberto Verdugo-Fuentes, Lourdes Mariana Díaz-Tenorio, Juan Nápoles-Armenta, Luis Samaniego-Moreno, Celia De La Mora-Orozco, Edgardo Martínez-Orozco, Celestino García-Gómez () and Juan Francisco Hernández Chávez ()
Additional contact information
Carlos Abraham Díaz-Quiroz: Departamento de Biotecnología y Ciencias Alimentarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 Sur, Centro, Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Julia Mariana Márquez-Reyes: Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Faculty of Agronomy, Francisco I. Madero S/N, Ex Hacienda el Canada, General Escobedo C.P. 66050, Nuevo León, Mexico
Maginot Ngangyo-Heya: Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Faculty of Agronomy, Francisco I. Madero S/N, Ex Hacienda el Canada, General Escobedo C.P. 66050, Nuevo León, Mexico
Joel Horacio Elizondo-Luevano: Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Faculty of Agronomy, Francisco I. Madero S/N, Ex Hacienda el Canada, General Escobedo C.P. 66050, Nuevo León, Mexico
Itzel Celeste Romero-Soto: Departamento de Fundamentos del Conocimiento, División de Ciencia y Tecnología, Centro Universitario del Norte, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Federal México 23 Km 191, Ocotlán C.P. 46200, Jalisco, Mexico
Abel Alberto Verdugo-Fuentes: Departamento de Biotecnología y Ciencias Alimentarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 Sur, Centro, Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Lourdes Mariana Díaz-Tenorio: Departamento de Biotecnología y Ciencias Alimentarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 Sur, Centro, Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Juan Nápoles-Armenta: Unidad Benito Juárez, Universidad Estatal de Sonora, Fraternidad S/N, Centro, Villa Juárez C.P. 85294, Sonora, Mexico
Luis Samaniego-Moreno: Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Engineering Division, Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Calzada Antonio Narro #1923 Buenavista, Saltillo C.P. 25315, Coahuila, Mexico
Celia De La Mora-Orozco: Department of Integral Watershed Management, National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research, Tepatitlán de Morelos C.P. 47600, Jalisco, Mexico
Edgardo Martínez-Orozco: Unidad Académica Arandas, Instituto Tecnológico José Mario Molina Pasquel y Henríquez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Arandas C.P. 47180, Jalisco, Mexico
Celestino García-Gómez: Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Faculty of Agronomy, Francisco I. Madero S/N, Ex Hacienda el Canada, General Escobedo C.P. 66050, Nuevo León, Mexico
Juan Francisco Hernández Chávez: Departamento de Biotecnología y Ciencias Alimentarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 Sur, Centro, Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-25

Abstract: Algal biorefineries constitute an emerging platform for the sustainable production of renewable bioproducts; however, their economic viability remains constrained by the high costs associated with microalgal cultivation and biomass harvesting. This study investigated an integrated strategy combining macronutrient optimization with electrocoagulation–flocculation (ECF) harvesting for Chlorella vulgaris . A Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize concentrations of NaNO 3 , KH 2 PO 4 , and MgSO 4 with the dual objective of maximizing biomass yield and enhancing biocompound content. Subsequently, the ECF process parameters—current density, electrolysis duration, pH, and electrolyte concentration—were optimized to improve harvesting efficiency. Under the optimal macronutrient conditions (NaNO 3 : 100.00 mg/L; KH 2 PO 4 : 222.12 mg/L; MgSO 4 : 100.84 mg/L), the model predicted a maximum biomass concentration of 0.475 g/L, along with 32.79% w / w carbohydrates and 6.79 mg/L chlorophyll-a. Optimal ECF harvesting conditions (current: 0.57 A; pH: 4.00; electrolysis time: 12.70 min; electrolyte: 1.74 g/L) achieved a biomass recovery efficiency of 89.51% w / v . These results demonstrate that coupling nutrient optimization with ECF-based harvesting offers a synergistic, scalable, and cost-effective pathway to improve the sustainability of algal biorefineries.

Keywords: microalga; Chlorella vulgaris; macronutrient optimization; response surface methodology; biorefinery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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