Browsing by Author "San Martin, Sergio"
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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.
- 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.