Pilot-scale continuous recycling of growth medium for the mass culture of a halotolerant Tetraselmis sp. in raceway ponds under increasing salinity: a novel protocol for commercial microalgal biomass production

S Fon Sing; A Isdepsky; M A Borowitzka; D M Lewis

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.010

Pilot-scale continuous recycling of growth medium for the mass culture of a halotolerant Tetraselmis sp. in raceway ponds under increasing salinity: a novel protocol for commercial microalgal biomass production

Bioresour Technol. 2014 Jun:161:47-54. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.010. Epub 2014 Mar 13.

Authors

S Fon Sing¹, A Isdepsky², M A Borowitzka³, D M Lewis⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Muradel Pty Ltd, 55/239 Magill Rd, Maylands, South Australia 5069, Australia. Electronic address: sophie.fonsing@adelaide.edu.au.
² Algae R&D Centre, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Muradel Pty Ltd, 55/239 Magill Rd, Maylands, South Australia 5069, Australia.
³ Algae R&D Centre, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
⁴ School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Muradel Pty Ltd, 55/239 Magill Rd, Maylands, South Australia 5069, Australia.

PMID: 24681683
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.010

Abstract

The opportunity to recycle microalgal culture medium for further cultivation is often hampered by salinity increases from evaporation and fouling by dissolved and particulate matter. In this study, the impact of culture re-use after electro-flocculation of seawater-based medium on growth and biomass productivity of the halotolerant green algal strain Tetraselmis sp., MUR 233, was investigated in pilot-scale open raceway ponds over 5months. Despite a salinity increase from 5.5% to 12% (w/v) NaCl, Tetraselmis MUR 233 grown on naturally DOC-enriched recycled medium produced 48-160% more ash free dry weight (AFDW) biomass daily per unit pond area than when grown on non-recycled medium. A peak productivity of 37.5±3.1gAFDWm(-2)d(-1) was reached in the recycled medium upon transition from ∼14% to ∼7% NaCl. The combination of high biomass-yielding mixotrophic growth under high salinity has been proven to be a successful sustainable cultivation strategy.

Keywords: Electro-flocculation; Marine microalgae; Mixotrophy; Recycling.

Publication types

Evaluation Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomass*
Chlorophyta / growth & development*
Culture Media
Culture Techniques*
Flocculation
Microalgae / growth & development*
Organic Chemicals / analysis
Pilot Projects
Salinity*
Salt Tolerance
Water / analysis

Substances

Culture Media
Organic Chemicals
Water