Enhancing microalga Chlorella sorokiniana CY-1 biomass and lipid production in palm oil mill effluent (POME) using novel-designed photobioreactor

Bioengineered. 2020 Dec;11(1):61-69. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2019.1704536.

Abstract

Chlorella sorokiniana CY-1 was cultivated using palm oil mill effluent (POME) in a novel-designed photobioreactor (NPBR) and glass-made vessel photobioreactor (PBR). The comparison was made on biomass and lipid productions, as well as its pollutants removal efficiencies. NPBR is transparent and is developed in thin flat panels with a high surface area per volume ratio. It is equipped with microbubbling and baffles retention, ensuring effective light and CO2 utilization. The triangular shape of this reactor at the bottom serves to ease microalgae cell harvesting by sedimentation. Both biomass and lipid yields attained in NPBR were 2.3-2.9 folds higher than cultivated in PBR. The pollutants removal efficiencies achieved were 93.7% of chemical oxygen demand, 98.6% of total nitrogen and 96.0% of total phosphorus. Mathematical model revealed that effective light received and initial mass contributes toward successful microalgae cultivation. Overall, the results revealed the potential of NPBR integration in Chlorella sorokiniana CY-1 cultivation, with an aim to achieve greater feasibility in microalgal-based biofuel real application and for environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Biofuel; Microalgae; Palm oil mill effluent; Photobioreactor; Wastewater.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels / analysis
  • Biomass
  • Biotechnology / instrumentation
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Chlorella / growth & development
  • Chlorella / metabolism*
  • Culture Media / metabolism
  • Lipids / biosynthesis*
  • Microalgae / growth & development
  • Microalgae / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Palm Oil / metabolism*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Photobioreactors

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Culture Media
  • Lipids
  • Phosphorus
  • Palm Oil
  • Nitrogen

Grants and funding

This work is supported by [Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund] under Grant [No. CX(19)3076]; [University of Malaya Grant PPP] under Grant [PG093-2014B, RU018L-2016, RU018O-2016, RU018C-2016]; [Malaysia’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme] under Grant [Malaysia, FRGS/1/2019/STG05/UNIM/02/2]; and [Yayasan Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS] under Grant [YUTP 015LC0-047, 015LC0-069]. Support from Ministry of Education Malaysia through HICOE to CBBR and cost centre of 015MA0-052 are duly acknowledged.