Improving biogas production from microalgae by enzymatic pretreatment

Bioresour Technol. 2016 Jan:199:347-351. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.084. Epub 2015 Aug 29.

Abstract

In this study, enzymatic pretreatment of microalgal biomass was investigated under different conditions and evaluated using biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. Cellulase, glucohydrolase and an enzyme mix composed of cellulase, glucohydrolase and xylanase were selected based on the microalgae cell wall composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and glycoprotein). All of them increased organic matter solubilisation, obtaining high values already after 6h of pretreatment with an enzyme dose of 1% for cellulase and the enzyme mix. BMP tests with pretreated microalgae showed a methane yield increase of 8 and 15% for cellulase and the enzyme mix, respectively. Prospective research should evaluate enzymatic pretreatments in continuous anaerobic reactors so as to estimate the energy balance and economic cost of the process.

Keywords: Algae; Enzyme; Hydrolysis; Methane; Solubilisation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels*
  • Biomass
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Cellulase / chemistry
  • Cellulase / metabolism
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Cellulose / metabolism
  • Methane / biosynthesis*
  • Microalgae / chemistry
  • Microalgae / metabolism*
  • Solubility
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods
  • Xylosidases / chemistry
  • Xylosidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Cellulose
  • Xylosidases
  • Cellulase
  • Methane