Potential of native microalgae strains grown in wastewater for biodiesel production in Nordic climate

Abstract

The potential advantages of microalgae as a biodiesel feedstock have been clearly proved in several studies from recent years. However, the next step towards industrial scale of biodiesel production remains still incomplete. An integrated system using waste streams as a nutritive substrate would result in fuel-rich biomass and clean water as valuable end-products coupled with a cost efficient algal cultivation and lipid productivity.

In this work, eight native microalgae strains isolated from Tvärminne (SW Finland) were assessed for their potential as a biodiesel feedstock grown in synthetic secondary effluent from municipal wastewater; and their ability to treat the waste stream removing the main nutrients (NO3 -N, NH4+-N and PO43--P). Biomass and lipid accumulation, nutrient removal and total lipid profile were evaluated. The results found in this study outline UHCC0027 strain as a promising native green algae for waste water treatment and biodiesel production.