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Optimization of carbon dioxide fixation and starch accumulation by Tetraselmis subcordiformis in a rectangular airlift photobioreactor
Abstract
Culture conditions are very important to CO2 bio-fixation and carbohydrate accumulation in microalgae. The objective of this study was to optimize semi-continuous culture conditions of Tetraselmis subcordiformis in a rectangular airlift photobioreactor for obtaining maximized carbon dioxide fixation rate and intracellular starch productivity. The effects of the initial biomass concentration (0.13, 0.8, 1.8, 2.8 and 3.47 g L-1), the gas flow rate (0.03, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.37 V V-1 m-1) and different carbon dioxide concentrations (1.63, 5, 10, 15 and 18.37%) were considered using a central composite design. By using response surface methodology and the desirability function approach, the optimal CO2 fixation rate of 55.15 mg L-1 h-1 and the intracellular starch productivity of 10.66 mg L-1 h-1 occurred when the initial biomass concentration was 1120 mg L-1 and the air supplemental CO2 concentration was 6.9% with a gas flow rate of 0.35 V V-1 m-1. These results suggest the potential of applying T. subcordiform to CO2 mitigation and starch production.
Key words: Photobioreactor, CO2 fixation rate, starch productivity, response surface methodology, desirability function approach.