A novel lipids recovery strategy for biofuels generation on microalgae Chlorella cultivation with waste molasses

• Main Authors: Yew, G.Y., Khoo, K.S., Chia, W.Y., Ho, Y.-C., Law, C.L., Leong, H.Y., Show, P.L.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2020
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85091362461&doi=10.1016%2fj.jwpe.2020.101665&partnerID=40&md5=3e99b908ec582be0c29156b5d6fae365; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/23391/

This study demonstrated a novel approach of lipids extraction with simultaneous biofuels conversion on microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana CY-1 cultivation using waste molasses as culture medium. The lipid extraction process was based on a hybrid liquid biphasic system (HLBS) which comprises of disruptive and extractive solvents in a single system. The microalgae cultivation with waste molasses showed a reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS) and nitrate content on the waste medium (61.48 , 63.94 and 63.79 , respectively). Additionally, a prompt lipids extraction with a recovery of 92.84 and a cell disruption enhancement of 8.3-fold in the organic solvent phase was attained. The acid-treated C. sorokiniana CY-1 biomass showed a composition of carbon at 61.3 , oxygen at 33.2 , nitrogen at 5.5 and potassium at 0.12 . Sulphur content was not detected in the microalgae biomass and this had aided the production of fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) which was observed by a gas chromatographic-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) profile. A disruptive-extraction method using acid assisted phase on HLBS showed potential for direct conversion of lipids into FAME to produce biofuels for engine combustion. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd