Microalgae tested for biofuel production

Scientists have used quantitative analysis methods to test the biogenic hydrogen and methane production from Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta biomass.

The aim of the investigation, which was published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and undertaken by scientists in Finland, was to determine whether microalgae were as promising a feedstock for biofuel and bioenergy production as they appeared to be.

Microalgae seem ideal as they have high photosynthetic efficiencies, high growth rates and no need for external organic carbon supply, with this study focusing on utilisation of Chlorella vulgaris (a fresh water microalga) and Dunaliella tertiolecta (a marine microalga).

Scientists tested the microalgae for the production for anaerobic H2 and CH4.

They found that while low levels of H2 were produced, they were subsequently consumed even in presence of 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid, an inhibitor of methanogens.

Both types of biomass produced CH4 with the anaerobic enrichments.

The team concluded that the production of H2 was comparable from D.tertiolecta and from C. vulgaris, whereas CH4 production was significantly higher from C. vulgaris.