Microalgae are being investigated due to their rapid growth and variety of potential applications, such as biofuel and biogas production, wastewater purification, animal feed and even human food. This new approach has gotten even more important due to the necessity of sustainable sources of energy. Non-renewable conventional energy extraction and use (petroleum, oil, natural gas, and coal) has already caused worldwide climatic changes and microalgae development seems to be a promising solution to this problem.
There are some characteristics that make microalgae favorable for this type of process; for example: short generation times, high lipid content, cost effective nutrient sources, the capacity to develop in assorted natural surroundings with different types of wastewater, and higher photosynthetic capability. This diverse group of organisms can be found in almost all ecosystems. The samples analyzed were collected from a desert, a cold area and salt ponds in Pakistan, a country which possesses distinctive geographical, geological, and environmental properties that promote great biodiversity and a potential for varied algae diversity. These samples were classified according to the strain.
There were 32 strains of algae in total. Each strain was isolated from disparate habitats to study the effects of different temperatures on growth, biomass production, and lipid production to examine their potential for biodiesel production.
The results show that temperature has little effect on both growth rates and biomass production, while the lipid content and fatty acid composition are sensitive to temperature. The way these variables change upon temperature depends on each strain. The interaction of all the factors was also analyzed. The results show that there is a strong relation between lipid content and temperature, and that biomass production and growth are correlated with each other at different temperatures.
The discoveries can be used for biofuel development. So, in order to produce the best fuel, it is necessary to target strains that produce the appropriate quantity of each agent and with the best composition.
Summary of Microalgae G #3
ResponderEliminarMicroalgae are being investigated due to their rapid growth and variety of potential applications, such as biofuel and biogas production, wastewater purification, animal feed and even human food.
This new approach has gotten even more important due to the necessity of sustainable sources of energy. Non-renewable conventional energy extraction and use (petroleum, oil, natural gas, and coal) has already caused worldwide climatic changes and microalgae development seems to be a promising solution to this problem.
There are some characteristics that make microalgae favorable for this type of process; for example: short generation times, high lipid content, cost effective nutrient sources, the capacity to develop in assorted natural surroundings with different types of wastewater, and higher photosynthetic capability. This diverse group of organisms can be found in almost all ecosystems.
The samples analyzed were collected from a desert, a cold area and salt ponds in Pakistan, a country which possesses distinctive geographical, geological, and environmental properties that promote great biodiversity and a potential for varied algae diversity. These samples were classified according to the strain.
There were 32 strains of algae in total. Each strain was isolated from disparate habitats to study the effects of different temperatures on growth, biomass production, and lipid production to examine their potential for biodiesel production.
The results show that temperature has little effect on both growth rates and biomass production, while the lipid content and fatty acid composition are sensitive to temperature. The way these variables change upon temperature depends on each strain.
The interaction of all the factors was also analyzed. The results show that there is a strong relation between lipid content and temperature, and that biomass production and growth are correlated with each other at different temperatures.
The discoveries can be used for biofuel development. So, in order to produce the best fuel, it is necessary to target strains that produce the appropriate quantity of each agent and with the best composition.
Yordi Brenes Roda
EliminarJose Pablo Marín Obando
Magally Sanabria Brenes