Browsing by Author "Branco-Vieira, Monique"
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- Biotechnological potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum for biorefinery processesPublication . Branco-Vieira, Monique; San Martin, Sergio; Agurto, Cristian; Freitas, Marcos A.V.; Martins, António A.; Mata, Teresa M.; Caetano, NídiaMicroalgae are a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, among other components, and thus, are considered to be the next generation biomass. However, in order to enhance the economic viability of its industrial production, all biomass components need to be valorized, requiring a multi-product biorefinery. Thus, this work proposes and conceptually analyses biorefinery processes for valorizing Phaeodactylum tricornutum for biofuels and high-value compounds, based on real data from a pilot-scale process. The algal biomass was biochemically characterized and the production was scaled-up to an industrial approach to analyze three biorefinery configurations, based on a 18 ton·year−1 of microalga biomass. The biomass revealed a composition of 7.85 wt% carbohydrates, 38.40 wt% proteins, 9.08 wt% lipids, 0.86 wt% fucoxanthin and 5.19 wt% biosilica. The biorefinery process addressed for biofuels production has an estimated annual production of 1.72, 0.35 and 1361 m3·year−1 of respectively biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane. The biorefinery addressed for high-value compounds yields 0.18, 0.93 and 6.95 ton·year−1 of respectively fucoxanthin, biosilica and protein. The biorefinery designed for valorizing full microalgae biomass, showed to be more beneficial for promoting a circular economy. Biorefinery approach is useful for making sound and profitable decisions regarding microalgae bioproducts.
- Microalgae for pigments and cosmeticsPublication . Caetano, Nídia S.; Corrêa, Priscila S.; Morais Júnior, Wilson G. de; Oliveira, Gisela M.; Martins, Antonio A.A.; Branco-Vieira, Monique; Mata, Teresa M.Microalgae are among the most promising cell factories of the near future. Their renewable nature, and ability to rely on photosynthesis to use CO2 or nutrients from wastewater to grow and multiply, make them an emergent source of valuable natural compounds. Although in the past, a few of these microalgae have been known for their value as a source of proteins, carbohydrates, exopolysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, recently they have also been found increasingly important sources of more valuable compounds such as carotenoids, of which astaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene are of extreme importance in food, feed and cosmeceutical industries, and phycobiliproteins, chlorophylls, that are finding their place in the commercial market. There are still various challenges to be addressed to make sustainable the production of some of these valuable bioproducts. However, the circular economy and the biorefinery approach are at the center of the whole process to make the microalgae-based industry one of the most dynamic, modern and profitable industries. In this chapter it will be presented the potential microalgae sources of these valuable compounds, existing industrial applications, as well as the major ongoing research projects, and their contribution driving the blue bioeconomy.
- Potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum for Biodiesel Production under Natural Conditions in ChilePublication . Branco-Vieira, Monique; San Martin, Sergio; Agurto, Cristian; Santos, Marco; Freitas, Marcos; Mata, Teresa; Martins, António; Caetano, NídiaDiatoms are very diverse and highly productive organisms, found in a wide variety ofenvironments. This study aims to analyze the growth and lipid composition ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum,cultured in an outdoor pilot-scale bubble column photobioreactor under natural conditions in Chile forbiodiesel production.Results showed thatP. tricornutumcultures reached their highest biomassconcentration (0.96±0.04 kg m−3) after 14 days of culturing, at the stationary phase, with avolumetric productivity of 0.13 kg m−3d−1. Biomass samples showed a total lipid content of9.08±0.38 wt %. The fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed a composition of 24.39% C16-C18 fattyacids, 42.34% saturated fatty acids, 21.91% monounsaturated fatty acids and 31.41% polyunsaturatedfatty acids. These findings suggest thatP. tricornutumoil can be used as an alternative raw materialfor the production of biodiesel capable of meeting international quality standards.