Vol. 23, No. 3 (2024), Bio24287 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/Bio24287

Prototype flat photobioreactor with a settler for the cultivation of Tetradesmus dimorphus under mixotrophic metabolism under ambient conditions

 

Authors

S.G. Pérez-Bravo, M. del R. Castañeda-Chávez, L. Aguilera-Vázquez

Abstract

Large-scale biomass production is essential for the utilization of its metabolites. Closed and automated cultivation systems have many advantages, including better cultivation efficiencies, lower risk of contamination, and control of growth variables; however, their operating costs are greater than those of open systems, which generally use sterile culture and artificial lighting. To offer a cultivation alternative that combines the benefits of a closed system, under environmental conditions, a low-cost culture medium for mixotrophic metabolism and harvest by gravitational sedimentation, a prototype of a flat photobioreactor with a settler manufactured with common materials, the Tetradesmus dimorphus strain, was grown in previously disinfected eutrophicated lagoon water under natural conditions of radiation and temperature for 15 days. A productivity of 0.016 g/L/day was obtained, the harvest yield was 76 ± 0.95 % in 24 hours, and 23.6 % nitrate and 7.2 % COD were removed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of the produced biomass confirmed the presence of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, while the extracted oils contained phospholipids and carboxylic acids.

Keywords

Microalgae, Tetradesmus dimorphus, photobioreactor, flat panel, gravitational sedimentation.

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