High efficiency lipid production, biochar yield and chlorophyll a content of Chlorella sp. microalgae exposed on sea water and TiO2 nanoparticles

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 232; p. 116263
• Main Authors: Shanmuganathan, Rajasree, Le, Quynh Hoang, Aloufi, Abeer S., Gavurová, Beata, Deepak, J.R., Mosisa, Endalkachew, R, Praveenkumar T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-09-2023
• Subjects: Chlorella sp; Lipid productivity; Microalgae harvesting; Sea water; Zeta potential; Lipid productivity; Chlorella sp; Microalgae harvesting; Zeta potential; Sea water
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116263

This study explores the challenges facing microalgae biofuel production, specifically low lipid content and difficulties with algal cell harvesting. The purpose of the research is to investigate the effect of seawater content and nanoparticle concentration on freshwater microalgae growth and biofuel production. The principal results of the study show that increasing the proportion of seawater and nanoparticles enhances the lipid content and cell diameter of microalgae, while excessive concentrations of nanoparticles and low seawater content lead to reduced microalgae growth. Furthermore, an optimal cell diameter was identified at a nanoparticle concentration of 150 mg/L. The study also reveals that increasing seawater content can decrease zeta potential and increase chlorophyll a content due to the concentration of dissolved organic matter. Increasing the seawater content from 0% to 25% decreased zeta potential by 1% owing to the instability and aggregation of the cells. Chlorophyll a for the 0% seawater was 0.55 which is increased to 1.32 only due to the increase in the seawater content. This significant increase is due to the concentration of dissolved organic matter in seawater. Additionally, the presence of seawater positively affects microalgae metabolic activity and biochar yield. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the potential for optimizing microalgae biofuel production. The use of seawater and nanoparticles has shown promise in enhancing microalgae growth and biofuel yield, and the results of this study underscore the scientific value of exploring the role of seawater and nanoparticles in microalgae biofuel production. Further research in this area has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions.
•Increasing the proportion of seawater and nanoparticles enhances the lipid content and cell diameter of microalgae.•Excessive concentrations of nanoparticles and low seawater content lead to reduced microalgae growth.•An optimal cell diameter was identified at a nanoparticle concentration of 150 mg/L.•The presence of seawater positively affects microalgae metabolic activity and biochar yield.