Researchers Develop Cheaper, Cleaner Way to Grow Biodiesel Producing Microalgae

Algae/Other Aquatic Organisms/Seaweed, Farming/Growing, Feedstock, Feedstocks, India, Infrastructure, R & D Focus, Sustainability

October 3, 2019

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by Gerard de Souza (Hindustan Times) The team of researchers has found that the species of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris NIOCCV grew well in a medium of seafood industry wastewater and was tolerant to different salinity regimes and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide — In a significant breakthrough that could boost the production of biodiesel, researchers at the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (Goa), Goa have found a cleaner, cheaper to grow biodiesel producing microalgae — one that uses wastewater from fishmeal plants rather than artificial nutrients.

The team of researchers led by Dr Deepti Jain, has found that the species of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris NIOCCV — a strain of microalgae that was isolated from nature and characterized at NIO — grew well in a medium of seafood industry wastewater and was tolerant to different salinity regimes and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide, making it an ideal candidate for an effective, economically favorable and environmentally sustainable strategy of cultivation in wastewater.

The move to use wastewater and CO2 could kill two birds with one stone.

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However, the cost of growing microalgae that needs nutrient supplements as well as the shortage of freshwater available for commercial cultivation was a hindrance to the economic sustainability of microalgae-based energy production.

“Microalgae has gained considerable global attention as alternative renewable fuel source. However, the cultivation cost is the major bottleneck because of the need for nutrient supplementation,” Gupta explained.

Cholera vulgaris NIOCCV’s ability to thrive in wastewater makes it the best candidate for sustainable production.

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Besides being cheaper, the method also helps clean the waste water that would otherwise need to be treated before being discharged, a cost industries want to avoid. READ MORE

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