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The need to implement an efficient biomass fractionation and full utilization based on the concept of “biorefinery” for a viable economic utilization of microalgae

  • Technoeconomic Perspectives on Sustainable CO2 Capture and Utilization
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Abstract

In the present work, microalgae strains, such as Scenedesmus obliquus and Phaeodactylum tricornutum grown in indoor/outdoor photobioreactors (PBRs) and in open ponds (this is the first study on such strains cultivated in the local Southern Italy climatic conditions), were fully analyzed for their protein content, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acid profile in order to assess their potential use for the production of biofuels, chemicals, and omega-3, and as animal feed and human food. They are compared with Nannochloropsis sp. (commercial sample) which was fully analyzed in our laboratory and Chlorella (literature data). An economic evaluation was carried out, demonstrating that the cultivation of microalgae for the production of only biofuels will not match the economic standards. Conversely, if chemicals are also produced applying the biorefinery concept and using wastewater as a source of nutrients, it will be possible to have a good positive return from microalgae.

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Acknowledgments

The work was funded by the MIUR Industrial Research Project PON01_01966 “ENERBIOCHEM” in the frame of the Operative National Programme-Research and Competitiveness 2007–2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Campus Universitario, 70126, Bari, Italy

    Angela Dibenedetto

  2. Consorzio Interuniversitario Reattività Chimica e Catalisi (CIRCC), Via Celso Ulpiani 27, 70126, Bari, Italy

    Angela Dibenedetto & Antonella Colucci

  3. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University Singapore, Engineering Drive 4, SG 117585, Singapore, Singapore

    Michele Aresta

Authors
  1. Angela Dibenedetto
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  2. Antonella Colucci
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  3. Michele Aresta
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Correspondence to Angela Dibenedetto.

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Responsible editor: Santiago V. Luis

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Dibenedetto, A., Colucci, A. & Aresta, M. The need to implement an efficient biomass fractionation and full utilization based on the concept of “biorefinery” for a viable economic utilization of microalgae. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 22274–22283 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6123-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6123-5

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