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Microalgal biomass as a fermentation feedstock for bioethanol production
Author(s) -
Harun Razif,
Danquah Michael K.,
Forde Gareth M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2287
Subject(s) - biofuel , biomass (ecology) , raw material , ethanol fuel , renewable energy , fossil fuel , pulp and paper industry , environmental science , bioenergy , fermentation , sugar , renewable fuels , renewable resource , waste management , biodiesel , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , chemistry , agronomy , engineering , biology , ecology , organic chemistry , biochemistry , catalysis
BACKGROUND: The increasing cost of fossil fuels as well as the escalating social and industrial awareness of the environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuels has created the need for more sustainable fuel options. Bioethanol, produced from renewable biomass such as sugar and starch materials, is believed to be one of these options, and it is currently being harnessed extensively. However, the utilization of sugar and starch materials as feedstocks for bioethanol production creates a major competition with the food market in terms of land for cultivation, and this makes bioethanol from these sources economically less attractive. RESULT: This study explores the suitability of microalgae ( Chlorococum sp .) as a substrate for bioethanol production via yeast ( Saccharomyces bayanus ) under different fermentation conditions. Results show a maximum ethanol concentration of 3.83 g L −1 obtained from 10 g L −1 of lipid‐extracted microalgae debris. CONCLUSION: This productivity level (∼38% w/w), which is in keeping with that of current production systems endorses microalgae as a promising substrate for bioethanol production. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry