Using nano-chitosan for harvesting microalga Nannochloropsis sp

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 131; pp. 555 - 559
• Main Authors: Farid, Mohammad Sadegh, Shariati, Ahmad, Badakhshan, Amir, Anvaripour, Bagher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Algae harvesting; Batch Cell Culture Techniques; Batch Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Bioreactors; Bioreactors - microbiology; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; chemistry; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; cost analysis; Crosslinking; Culture; Dosage; dose response; Flocculation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; growth & development; Harvesting; isolation & purification; methods; microalgae; Microalgae - growth & development; Microalgae - isolation & purification; microbiology; Nannochloropsis; Nano-chitosan; Nanostructure; Nanostructures; Nanostructures - chemistry; Recovering; Recycled; sodium tripolyphosphate; Crosslinking; Nano-chitosan; Chitosan; Algae harvesting; Flocculation; Heterokontophyta; Eustigmatophyceae; Algae; Harvesting; Alga; Microorganism
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.058

► Nano-chitosan performed better than chitosan in terms of biomass recovery and dosage. ► Biomass recovery was increased by 9% for nano-chitosan. ► Optimum dosage by adjusting pH was decreased by 40% for nano-chitosan. ► The best initial cell density was 665×106cells/ml for minimum flocculant dosage consumption. ► Recycled water of flocculated medium with carbon content increases algae growth. In this study, chitosan and nano-chitosan were used as flocculants agents for harvesting microalga Nannochloropsis sp. chitosan was modified to nano-chitosan by crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate. The effects of type and dosage of flocculants and the pH of the culture were investigated on biomass recovery. Optimum dosages for both bio-flocculants were found. The results showed that the dosage of flocculant consumption decreases by 40% and biomass recovery increases by 9% when nano-chitosan instead of chitosan is used as flocculant agent. Also, the recycled water from the harvesting process was reused which increases the growth of microalgae by about 7%. Finally, the cost analysis of harvesting process showed the feasibility of using nano-chitosan as flocculation agent.