Browsing by Author "Saratale, Ganesh D."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Dark fermentative hydrogen production: from concepts to a sustainable productionPublication . Moura, Patrícia; Ortigueira, Joana; Valdez-Vazquez, Idania; Saratale, Ganesh D.; Saratale, Rijuta G.; Silva, Carla M.ABSTRACT: The use of renewable sources and environmentally friendly processes is considered a priority for the construction of a sustainable energy future. The harmful impact of fossil fuels and the fact that we are reaching a disrupting point regarding environmental damage require the rapid implementation of new energy systems and a substantial increase in the use of alternative, unconventional energy sources. Hydrogen (H2) is considered one of the most promising sources as a clean energy vector, because of its high energy density (120 MJ/kg) and carbon-free combustion (Argun and Kargi, 2011). Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element on earth; however, it barely exists in nature in its molecular state. Instead, it is almost always found as part of other compounds from which it should be separated, either by thermochemical processes or through biological conversion.
- Enhancement of fermentative hydrogen production from Spirogyra sp by increased carbohydrate accumulation and selection of the biomass pretreatment under a biorefinery modelPublication . Pinto, T.; Gouveia, Luisa; Ortigueira, Joana; Saratale, Ganesh D.; Moura, PatríciaABSTRACT: In this work, hydrogen (H-2) was produced through the fermentation of Spirogyra sp. biomass by Clostridium butyricum DSM 10702. Macronutrient stress was applied to increase the carbohydrate content in Spirogyra, and a 36% (w/w) accumulation of carbohydrates was reached by nitrogen depletion. The use of wet microalga as fermentable substrate was compared with physically and chemically treated biomass for increased carbohydrate solubilisation. The combination of drying, bead beating and mild acid hydrolysis produced a saccharification yield of 90.3% (w/w). The H-2 production from Spirogyra hydrolysate was 3.9 L H-2 L-1 , equivalent to 1463 mL H-2 g(-1) microalga dry weight. The presence of protein (23.2 +/- 0.3% w/w) and valuable pigments, such as astaxanthin (38.8% of the total pigment content), makes this microalga suitable to be used simultaneously in both food and feed applications. In a Spirogyra based biorefinery, the potential energy production and food-grade protein and pigments revenue per cubic meter of microalga culture per year was estimated on 7.4 MJ, US $412 and US S15, respectively, thereby contributing to the cost efficiency and sustainability of the whole bioconversion process.