Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera seed flour as a flocculating agent for potential biodiesel producer microalgae

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Phycology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Microalgal biofuel alternatives have been hindered by their cost and energy intensive production. In the microalgal harvesting process, the intermediate step of flocculation shows potential in drastically reducing the need for costly centrifugation processes. Moringa oleifera seeds, which have been used for water treatment due to their high flocculation potential, low cost and low toxicity, are presented in this paper as strong candidate for flocculating Chlorella vulgaris, a microalgae with high biodiesel production potential. Early results of our group showed a very high flocculation (around 85% of biomass recovery). The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of Moringa oleifera seed flour concentration, sedimentation time and pH on the flocculation efficiency. Cell suspensions treated with Moringa seed flour (1 g L-1) had their flocculation significantly increased with the rise of pH, reaching 89% of flocculation in 120 min at pH 9.2. Sedimentation time of 120 min and a concentration of 0.6 g L-1 proved to be ample for substantial flocculation efficiency. In spite of the need for more research to ensure the economic viability and sustainability of this process, these results corroborate Moringa oleifera seeds as a strong candidate as a bioflocculant for Chlorella vulgaris cells and indicate optimal pH range of its action.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ABO (2009) – “Executive Summary” Algal Biomass Organization. http://www.algalbiomass.org/resource-center/references/industry-statistics/executive-summary/accessed 24-11-2011

  • Amaglo KN, Bennett RN, Curto RBL, Rosa EAS, Turco VL, Giuffrida A, Curto AL, Crea F, Timpo GM (2010) Profiling selected phytochemicals and nutrients in different tissues of the multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera L., grown in Ghana. Food Chem 122:1047–1054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Becker E (1995) Microalgae biotechnology and microbiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 158–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Benemann JR, Oswald WJ (1996) Systems and economic analysis of microalgae ponds for conversion of CO2 to biomass. Final Report to the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, Morgantown

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bilanovic D, Shelef G, Sukenik A (1988) Flocculation of microalgae with cationic polymers—effects of medium salinity. Biomass 17:65–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Divakaran R, Sivasankara Pillai VN (2002) Flocculation of algae using chitosan. J Appl Phycol 14:419–422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gassenschmidt U, Jany KK, Tauscher B, Niebergall H (1995) Isolation and characterization of a flocculation protein from Moringa oleifera Lam. Biochim Biophys Acta 1243:477–481

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghebremichael KA, Gunaratna KR, Henriksson H, Brumer H, Dalhammar G (2005) A simple purification and activity assay of the coagulant protein from Moringa oleifera seed. Water Res 39:2338–2344

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guillard RRL, Lorenzen CJ (1972) Yellow-green algae with chlorophyllide-c. J Phycol 8:10–14

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson R, Sharp E, Jarvis P, Parsons S, Jefferson B (2006) Identifying the linkage between particle characteristics and understanding coagulation performance. Wat Sci Technol 6:31–38

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jahn SAA (1988) Using Moringa seeds as coagulants in developing countries. J Am Water Works Assoc 80:43–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katayon S, Noor MJ, Asma M, Ghani LA, Thamer AM, Azni I, Ahmad J, Khor BC, Suleyman AM (2006) Effects of storage conditions of Moringa oleifera seeds on its performance in coagulation. Bioresour Technol 97:1455–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman R, Ashley DA, Brown JH (2008) Comparison of two seed oils used in cosmetics, moringa and marula. Indust Crops Products 28:361–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knuckey RM, Brown MR, Robert R, Frampton DMF (2006) Production of micro-algal concentrates by flocculation and their assessment as aquaculture feeds. Aquacult Eng 35:300–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee AK, Lewis DM, Ashman PJ (2009) Microbial flocculation, a potentially low-cost harvesting technique for marine microalgae for the production of biodiesel. J Appl Phycol 21:559–567

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JC, Chen YM, Ju Y-H (1999) Separation of algal cells from water by column flotation. Separ Sci Technol 34:2259–2272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Li F, Zhang B (2009) Removal of algal blooms in freshwater using magnetic polymer. Water Sci Technol 59:1085–1091

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mani S, Jaya S, Vadivambal R (2007) Optimization of solvent extraction of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed kernel oil using response surface methodology. Food Bioprod Process 85:328–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mata TM, Martins AA, Caetano NS (2010) Microalgae for biodiesel production and other applications: a review. Ren Sust Energy Rev 14:217–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendieta-Araica B, Spörndly R, Reyes-Sánchez N, Spörndly E (2011) Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal as a source of protein in locally produced concentrates for dairy cows fed low protein diets in tropical areas. Livestock Sci 137:10–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muyibi SA, Evison LM (1995) Moringa oleifera seeds for softening hard water. Water Res 29:1099–1105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ndabigengesere A, Narasiah KS (1998) Quality of water treated by coagulation using Moringa oleifera seeds. Water Res 32:781–791

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ndabigengesere A, Narasiah KS, Talbot BG (1995) Active agents and mechanism of coagulation of turbid waters using Moringa oleifera. Water Res 29:703–710

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oh HM, Lee SJ, Park MH, Kim HS, Kim HC, Yoon JH, Kwon G, Yoon BD (2001) Harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris using a bioflocculant from Paenibacillus sp. AM49. Biotechnol Lett 23:1229–1234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okuda T, Baes AU, Nishijima W, Okada M (1999) Improvement of extraction method of coagulation active components from Moringa oleifera seed. Water Res 33:3373–3378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okuda T, Baes AU, Nishijima W, Okada M (2001) Isolation and characterization of coagulant extracted from Moringa oleifera seed by salt solution. Water Res 35:405–410

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papazi A, Makridis P, Divanach P (2010) Harvesting Chlorella minutissima using cell coagulants. J Appl Phycol 22:349–355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poelman E, De Pauw N, Jeurissen B (1997) Potential of electrolytic flocculation for recovery of micro-algae. Resour Conserv Recy 19:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rashid U, Anwar F, Moser BR, Knothe G (2008) Moringa oleifera oil: a possible source of biodiesel. Biores Technol 99:8175–8179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salim S, Bosma R, Vermuë MH, Wijffels RH (2011) Harvesting of microalgae by bio-flocculation. J Appl Phycol 23:849–855

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Martín J, Ghebremichael K, Beltrán-Heredia J (2010) Comparison of single-step and two-step purified coagulants from Moringa oleifera seed for turbidity and DOC removal. Biores Technol 101:6259–6261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos AFS, Argolo ACC, Coelho LCBB, Paiva PMG (2005) Detection of water soluble lectin and antioxidant component from Moringa oleifera seeds. Water Res 39:975–980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schenk PM, Thomas-Hall SR, Stephens E, Marx U, Mussgnug JH, Posten C, Kruse O, Hankamer B (2008) Second generation biofuels: high-efficiency microalgae for biodiesel production. Bioenergy Res 1:20–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talreja T (2010) Screening of crude extract of flavonoids of Moringa oleifera against bacteria and fungal pathogen. J Phytol 2:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandamme D, Foubert I, Meesschaert B, Muylaert K (2010) Flocculation of microalgae using cationic starch. J Appl Phycol 22:525–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wijffels RH, Barbosa MJ (2010) An outlook on microalgal biofuels. Science 13:796–799

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Gabriel Francisco da Silva from Sergipe Federal University for providing the seeds of Moringa oleifera and to Dr. Armando Vieira from São Carlos Federal University for providing the culture of Chlorella vulgaris.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Technology, Av. Venezuela, 82, sala 716, Saúde, 20081-312, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Cláudia Maria Luz Lapa Teixeira & Fabiana Vasconcelos Kirsten

  2. Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brazil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Pedro Celso Nogueira Teixeira

Authors
  1. Cláudia Maria Luz Lapa Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fabiana Vasconcelos Kirsten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pedro Celso Nogueira Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cláudia Maria Luz Lapa Teixeira.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Teixeira, C.M.L.L., Kirsten, F.V. & Teixeira, P.C.N. Evaluation of Moringa oleifera seed flour as a flocculating agent for potential biodiesel producer microalgae. J Appl Phycol 24, 557–563 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9773-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9773-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation