Remediation of heavy metals from industrial effluents and ground water sources poses a significant challenge. Hexavalent chromium is one such heavy metal, prevalent in industrial wastewaters, which has been proven to be toxic to humans and other living organisms. Most of the conventional methods available for dealing with chromium are either cost prohibitive or generate secondary effluents which are difficult to deal with. The idea of bioremediation has gained much momentum over the last few decades because of its potential low cost and minimum impact on the environment. This study explored the potential for hexavalent chromium bioremediation using a synthetic cationic biopolymer alpha-poly-l-lysine (alpha-PLL) as a biosorbent. In the present research work, equilibrium batch studies were performed in a specially designed dialysis apparatus to obtain preliminary information about the adsorption capacity of the polymer. Metal uptake by the polymer was found to be maximum when the pH of chromium solution (pH 4.6) and that of poly-lysine (pH 5.7) was not changed at the beginning of the experiment. Applying the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model showed that alpha-PLL has a maximum uptake capacity of 42.2 microgram Cr/mg alpha-PLL, and a binding constant of 1.2 microgram/mL +/- 10%. The metal uptake performance of the polymer was also evaluated in a Polymer Enhanced Diafiltration (PEDF) system. The polymer-metal complex was retained and concentrated by the PEDF set up using a tangential flow filtration membrane, while the clean filtrate flowed through. When 3.4 L of 10 mg/L chromium solution in the Cr2O72- form was processed using 300 mL of 2 gm/L PLL, the concentration of chromium in the permeate reached a maximum of 0.79 mg/L. When 30 mg/L chromium solution was used, 2 L could be processed using 300 mL of 2gm/L PLL, and 7.8 mg/L chromium could be detected in the permeate in the end.

Quelque soit la zone de culture, l'anacardier (Anacardium occidentale L.) est essentiellement cultivé pour la production de noix de cajou, filière d'une grande importance socio-économique notamment au Brésil. Le jus de cajou est un produit secondaire qui résulte du pressage du pédoncule hypertrophié de la noix appelé pomme de cajou (pseudo-fruit). Le traitement des pommes engendre de grands volumes de déchets solides qui sont soit mis en décharge, soit utilisés pour l'alimentation animale. Dans ce contexte, le travail a pour objectif de proposer et d'évaluer un nouveau procédé permettant d'accroître la valeur ajoutée de ce sous-produit en extrayant les caroténoïdes qu'il contient. Le procédé comporte 3 opérations successives : une extraction par pressage associée à une macération enzymatique, une concentration à froid de l'extrait par microfiltration tangentielle et une purification par diafiltration. La première opération a été optimisée à l'aide de 2 plans d'expériences : un plan de criblage de facteurs de Plackett-Burmam (matrice de Hadamard) pour sélectionner les paramètres opératoires les plus influents suivi d'un plan central composite pour les optimiser. La dose de pectinase utilisée durant la macération et la force appliquée lors du pressage sont les paramètres les plus influents sur le profil caroténoïdique de l'extrait. De fortes doses de pectinase associées à une force de pressage élevée permettent d'obtenir à la fois un extrait plus riche en caroténoïdes et une meilleure densité de flux de perméat en microfiltration. L'utilisation de plusieurs cycles successifs de pressage permet d'augmenter les teneurs en caroténoïdes de l'extrait mais augmente également son pouvoir colmatant en microfiltration. L'étude de la concentration de l'extrait par microfiltration tangentielle a montré qu'il est possible d'atteindre un facteur de réduction volumique (FRV) de 20 en maintenant des densité de flux de perméat supérieures à 100 L.h-1.m-2. Les caroténoïdes sont concentrés à hauteur du FRV choisi (jusqu'à 20 fois). La diafiltration a permis de purifier 5 fois les caroténoïdes par rapport à la matière sèche. Un modèle simple basé sur des bilans matières pour prévoir l'impact du FRV et du diavolume sur la composition de l'extrait a été développé et validé. L'extrait final obtenu présente une teneur en caroténoïdes de 70 mg.kg-1. Parmi les 11 molécules identifiées par HPLC-DAD, les caroténoïdes majoritaires sont les isomères cis et trans de l'auroxanthine, la β-cryptoxanthine et le β-carotène. Les extraits finaux obtenus se présentent sous forme de liquides visqueux de couleur jaune intense, faciles à disperser dans l'eau. Ils possèdent un fort potentiel d'utilisation dans la formulation des aliments comme colorant naturel. / Whatever is the area of plantation, cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is grown primarily for the production of nuts, a supply chain that has great socioeconomic importance, especially in Brazil. The cashew juice is a by-product that results from pressing the nut hypertrophied peduncle, known as cashew apple, a juicy pseudo fruit. Peduncle processing generates large volumes of industrial solid waste that are usually discarded or sometimes used as animal feed. In this context, this work aimed to propose and evaluate a new process that provides an added value to this industrial byproduct, extracting carotenoids that were contained therein. The process comprised three successive operations: an extraction by pressing associated to an enzymatic maceration, a cold concentration of the extract by crossflow microfiltration and a purification by diafiltration. The first operation was optimized with the use of two experimental designs: a Plackett-Burmam (Hadamard matrix) plan for factors screening to select the most influential operating parameters, followed by a central composite design for optimization. The dose of pectinase used during maceration and the applied force used during the pressing operation were the most influential parameters on the carotenoid extract profile. High doses of pectinase associated with a high pressing force led to a richer carotenoid extract and enhanced the permeate flux in microfiltration. The use of several successive cycles of compression increased the carotenoid content of the extract but also increased its fouling properties during microfiltration. The extract concentration by crossflow microfiltration study showed that it was possible to reach values of volumetric reduction ratio (VRR) of about 20, maintaining the permeate flux above 100 Lh-1.m-2. The carotenoids were concentrated in the same levels of FRV (up to 20 times). The diafiltration allowed purification of carotenoids 5 times in relation to the dry matter. A simple model, based on a mass balance to predict the impact of VRR and diavolume on the extract composition was developed and validated. The final extract obtained presented a carotenoid content of 70 mg.kg-1. Among the 11 compounds identified by HPLC-DAD, the main carotenoids were cis and trans isomers of auroxanthine, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. The final extracts obtained were in the form of viscous liquids of a yellow intense color, and easily dispersed in water. These concentrates have a strong potential for use in the formulation of foods and beverages as a natural dye.

Ce travail a pour objectif d’étudier l’effet de la diafiltration et de la polymérisation enzymatique sur l’hétérogénéité, la composition chimique et les propriétés physico-chimiques des lignosulfonates en solution. Le fractionnement par procédé membranaire a été mené par diafiltration. Les lignosulfonates ont été fractionnés en cinq fractions de différents poids moléculaire et polydispersité variant de 1400 g.mol-1 à 19500 g.mol-1 et de 1,4 à 3,5 respectivement. Les résultats indiquent que la diafiltration permet d’obtenir des fractions qui présentent des propriétés augmentées et/ou différentes du produit non fractionnés et une distribution moins hétérogène. Les fractions de poids moléculaire en poids de 2500 g.mol-1 et 4300 g.mol-1 ont la plus grande concentration en groupements hydroxyles et sulfoniques, ce qui affecte leurs propriétés, puisqu’elles présentent des activités de surface et antioxydantes supérieures aux lignosulfonates non fractionnés. La polymérisation enzymatique des lignosulfonates par la laccase a été étudiée en présence ou en absence de médiateur. La polymérisation des lignosulfonates a été constatée comme produit de leurs oxydations (SEC). Les principaux facteurs influant sur la polymérisation des lignosulfonates sont (i) une très grande concentration en lignosulfonates, (ii) l’utilisation des laccases fongiques (laccase de Trametes versicolor) avec un potentiel redox élevé et (iii) l'utilisation de l’acétosyringone ou l’acide violurique comme médiateur. L’effet du mode de conduite (discontinu, continu et semi continu) de la réaction de polymérisation des lignosulfonates a été rapporté. La comparaison des résultats des trois modes de mise en œuvre a indiqué que le mode en continu conduit à une augmentation importante du poids moléculaire (30600 Da) et à la diminution la plus importante de la polydispersité des polymères synthétisés (3,7). Ainsi, ce mode de conduite de la réaction est plus adapté pour obtenir des produits homogènes. / This work aims to study the effect of diafiltration and enzymatic polymerization on the heterogeneity, the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of lignosulfonates in solution. Membrane fractionation process was carried out by diafiltration. The lignosulfonates were fractionated into five fractions with different molecular weights and polydispersity ranging from 1400 g mol-1 to 19500 g mol-1 and from 1.4 to 3.5, respectively. The results indicate that diafiltration allows obtaining fractions which have enhanced and/or different properties from unfractionated product and a less heterogeneous distribution. Fractions with a weight average molecular weight between 2500 g mol-1 and 4300 g mol-1 have the largest concentration of hydroxyl and sulfonic groups which affect their properties, since they exhibit surface and antioxidant activities higher than unfractionated lignosulfonates. The enzymatic polymerization of lignosulfonates by laccase was studied in the presence or absence of mediator. The polymerization of lignosulfonates was observed as a product of their oxidation by SEC. The main factors influencing the polymerization of lignosulfonates are (i) a very high concentration of lignosulfonates (ii) the use of fungal laccases (laccase from Trametes versicolor) with a high redox potential (iii) the use of acetosyringone or violuric acid as mediator. The effect of the reactor mode (batch, continuous and semi continuous) of the polymerization of lignosulfonates has been reported. Comparison of the results of the three modes has shown that the continuous mode led to a significant increase in molecular weight (30600 Da) and the largest decrease of the polydispersity of the synthesized polymers (3.7). Thus, this mode of conducting the reaction is more suitable for homogeneous products.

xvii, 203 p. / Gold nanoparticles have garnered recent attention due to their intriguing size- and shape-dependent properties. Routine access to well-defined gold nanoparticle samples in terms of core diameter, shape, peripheral functionality and purity is required in order to carry out fundamental studies of their properties and to utilize these properties in future applications. For this reason, the development of methods for preparing well-defined gold nanoparticle samples remains an area of active research in materials science. In this dissertation, two methods, diafiltration and aptamer mediated synthesis, are explored as possible routes towards well-defined gold nanoparticle samples. It is shown that diafiltration has considerable potential for the efficient and convenient purification and size separation of water-soluble nanoparticles. The suitability of diafiltration for (i) the purification of water-soluble gold nanoparticles, (ii) the separation of a bimodal distribution of nanoparticles into fractions, (iii) the fractionation of a polydisperse sample and (iv) the isolation of [rimers from monomers and aggregates is studied. NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements demonstrate that diafiltration produces highly pure nanoparticles. UV-visible spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopic analyses show that diafiltration offers the ability to separate nanoparticles of disparate core size, including linked nanoparticles. These results demonstrate the applicability of diafiltration for the rapid and green preparation of high-purity gold nanoparticle samples and the size separation of heterogeneous nanoparticle samples. In the second half of the dissertation, the identification of materials specific aptamers and their use to synthesize shaped gold nanoparticles is explored. The use of in vitro selection for identifying materials specific peptide and oligonucleotide aptamers is reviewed, outlining the specific requirements of in vitro selection for materials and the ways in which the field can be advanced. A promising new technique, in vitro selection on surfaces (ISOS), is developed and the discovery using ISOS of RNA aptamers that bind to evaporated gold is discussed. Analysis of the isolated gold binding RNA aptamers indicates that they are highly structured with single-stranded polyadenosine binding motifs. These aptamers, and similarly isolated peptide aptamers, are briefly explored for their ability to synthesize gold nanoparticles. This dissertation contains both previously published and unpublished co-authored material. / Adviser: James E. Hutchison

Les hydrolysats protéiques ont une haute valeur ajoutée pour des secteurs industriels variés, de par leurs propriétés nutritives, fonctionnelles et / ou nutraceutiques. Pour améliorer les propriétés des hydrolysats, l’ultrafiltration est utilisée. Cependant, le manque d’outils de modélisation lié à la complexité des mélanges est un verrou pour une mise en œuvre rationnelle du procédé. Ces travaux ont permis de valider une stratégie de prédiction basée sur des caractéristiques classiques des hydrolysats et un étalonnage expérimental de la membrane d’ultrafiltration. Cette méthode permet de prédire les rendements et enrichissements en fraction(s) ou peptide(s) cible(s), ainsi que la productivité du procédé. Le modèle global de prédiction de l’ultrafiltration obtenu est alors utilisé afin d’optimiser la mise en œuvre de ce procédé. La démarche d’optimisation consiste à maximiser l’enrichissement de fractions ou de peptides cibles en minimisant la consommation d’eau et la durée du procédé / Protein hydrolysates are high added value mixtures for various industrial areas, thanks to their nutritive, functional or nutraceutical properties. To enhance hydrolysates performances, fractionation processes such as ultrafiltration are used. However, the lack of tools to predict ultrafiltration performances is a major bottleneck for a rational implementation of the process. This research thesis work enables to validate a prediction strategy based on classical characteristics of hydrolysates and an experimental calibration of the membrane. Yields and enrichment factors in targeted peptides or fractions during ultrafiltration as well as the productivity of the process can be predicted. This global methodology of performances prediction is then used to optimize the implementation modes of ultrafiltration. The multiobjective optimization approach consists in maximizing the enrichment in targeted peptides or fractions while water consumption and / or process duration is minimized

Discharge of metal containing effluents into water has been a cause of major concern. Traditional treatment methods are proving to be ineffective and expensive. Chitosan was studied as a potential biosorbent due to its positive charge and relatively low cost. The study involves evaluating the metal binding performance of chitosan in a polymer enhanced diafiltration (PEDF) system which uses an ultrafiltration membrane to retain the chitosan which, in turn, binds the metal, thereby preventing passage into the permeate stream. Conditions for binding such as pH, concentration of polymer and chromium were studied. Optimal performance was obtained when the system was operated at pH values lower then the pKa of chitosan i.e. 6.3. Using 6 g/L chitosan at pH 4.0, chromium concentration was reduced to less than 1mg/L from a feed concentration of 20 mg/L. Equilibrium dialysis experiments were done to study the kinetics of binding and the uptake of metal per gram of polymer. Rheological measurements demonstrated that in the presence of 1-100 mM chromate, chitosan was found to be slightly shear-thickening at low concentrations such as 4 g/L and 6 g/L whereas it was slightly shear-thinning at higher concentrations like 12 g/L and 20 g/L This suggests that neutralization of chromium anions is due to the interaction of multiple chitosan molecules. This result is consistent with the relatively stiff nature of the polysaccharide. Overall, this study suggests that some modification of the native polymer would be required to improve uptake and make it an industrially workable process.

Current understanding of potential toxicity of engineered nanomaterials to aquatic microorganisms is limited for risk assessment and management. Here we evaluate if the MetPLATE™ test can be used as an effective and rapid screening tool to test for potential aquatic toxicity of various metal-based nanoparticles (NPs). The MetPLATE bioassay is a heavy metal sensitive test based on β-galactosidase activity in Escherichia coli. Five different types of metal-based NPs were screened for toxicity: (1) citrate coated nAg (Citrate-nanosilver), (2) polyvinylpyrrolidone coated nAg (PVP-nAg), (3) uncoated nZnO, (4) uncoated nTiO2 and (5) 1-Octadecylamine coated CdSe Quantum Dots (CdSe QDs); and compared with their corresponding ionic salt toxicity. Citrate-nAg was further fractionated into clean Citrate-nAg, unclean Citrate-nAg and permeate using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system to eliminate residual ions and impurities from the stock Citrate-nAg suspension and also to differentiate between ionic- versus nano-specific toxicity. Our results showed that nAg, nZnO and CdSe QDs were less toxic than their corresponding ionic salts tested, while nano- or ionic form of TiO2 was not toxic as high as 2.5 g L− 1 to the MetPLATE™ bacteria. Although coating-dependent toxicity was noticeable between two types of Ag NPs evaluated, particle size and surface charge were not adequate to explain the observed toxicity; hence, the toxicity appeared to be material-specific. Overall, the toxicity followed the trend: CdCl2 > AgNO3 > PVP-nAg > unclean Citrate-nAg > clean Citrate-nAg > ZnSO4 > nZnO > CdSe QDs > nTiO2/TiO2. These results indicate that an evaluation of β-galactosidase inhibition in MetPLATE™ E. coli can be an important consideration for rapid screening of metal-based NP toxicity, and should facilitate ecological risk assessment of these emerging contaminants.

Techn. University, Diss.--München.

Microalgas são microrganismos fotossintéticos, capazes de sintetizar uma ampla gama de produtos dependendo de sua rota metabólica. A produção de microalgas envolve as etapas de cultivo, recuperação da biomassa e obtenção dos produtos intracelulares, sendo a etapa de recuperação de biomassa um gargalo da produção. No presente estudo foi avaliado a concentração e purificação de biomassa de duas espécies de microalgas, Chlorella sp. e Dunaliella tertiolecta, através da microfiltração tangencial, nos seguintes modos de operação: reciclo total, batelada e batelada combinada com diafiltração. Também foi avaliada a disponibilidade de reuso do permeado como meio de cultivo para as microalgas. No modo de reciclo total foram testadas quatro pressões transmembranas (PTM) para Chlorella sp. e cinco pressões transmembranas para D. tertiolecta em duas velocidades tangenciais para determinação das melhores condições operacionais para as etapas posteriores de concentração e purificação, considerando o efeito dessas condições de operação sobre a integridade celular. A velocidade selecionada foi 0,6 m s-1 para o processamento das duas suspensões de microalgas e a PTM de 0,5 bar para Chlorella sp. e de 0,15 bar para D. tertiolecta. As análises de microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e na câmara Neubauer não demostraram um efeito significativo do sistema de MF sobre a estrutura celular de Chlorella sp., entretanto, para D. tertiolecta, as análises mostraram a necessidade de operar o sistema em PTM de 0,15 bar. Foi observado um baixo percentual médio de fouling, sendo de 16 % para Chlorella sp. e 6 % para D. tertiolecta para as duas velocidades tangenciais testadas. A resistência da membrana foi elevada quando comparada com a resistência devido ao fouling de ambas as suspensões de microalgas. Em modo batelada, observou-se em todos os experimentos, a completa retenção das células de microalgas pela membrana de microfiltração. O fator de concentração volumétrico médio foi de 2,6 para a suspensão de Chlorella sp. e 2,5 para a de D. tertiolecta. Na operação do sistema em modo diafiltração foi possível reduzir o teor salino em 42 % para o concentrado da Chlorella sp. e 38 % para o concentrado de D. tertiolecta. O modelo de Hermia modificado por Field foi utilizado em software EMSO para a determinação dos mecanismos de fouling, e concluiu-se que a formação de torta foi o mecanismo de fouling dominante em filtração de Chlorella sp.. Para D. tertiolecta, todos os mecanismos se ajustaram bem aos dados experimentais, indicando que os mesmos ocorreram simultaneamente. Foram propostos dois tipos de meio de cultura para o reuso da corrente de permeado: o permeado simples e o permeado enriquecido com a adição de micronutrientes. Foi possível verificar a utilização do permeado como meio de cultivo, principalmente para o cultivo de D. tertiolecta; o permeado com adição de micronutrientes apresentou maior capacidade de crescimento que o meio padrão para esta microalga. No cultivo da Chlorella sp., a concentração de biomassa alcançada utilizando o permeado simples e enriquecido foi inferior a concentração de biomassa em meio de cultivo padrão. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho comprovaram que o processo de microfiltração apresenta-se como uma alternativa promissora na etapa de concentração e purificação de suspensões de microalgas; além disso, a corrente de permeado gerada pode ser utilizada como meio de cultivo, garantindo, desta forma, um menor consumo de água e nutrientes, melhorando a viabilidade econômica do processo. / Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms with simple structures and capable to synthesize a wide range of products depending on their metabolic route. The production of microalgae comprises the steps of cultivation, biomass recovery and extraction of intracellular products, being the stage of biomass recovery a production bottleneck. In the present study was evaluated the concentration and purification of biomass of two species of microalgae, Chlorella sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta, by crossflow microfiltration, in the following modes of operation: total recycling, batch and batch combined with diafiltration. It was also assessed the availability of the reuse the permeate as medium for microalgae cultivation. In total recycling mode were tested four different transmembrane pressures (TMP) for Chlorella sp. and five transmembrane pressures for D. tertiolecta in two crossflow velocities to determine the proper operating conditions for the stages of concentration and purification, considering the effect of operating conditions on the cellular integrity. The selected crossflow velocity was 0.6 m s-1 for processing the two suspensions of microalgae and TMP of 0.5 bar for Chlorella sp. and 0.15 bar for D. tertiolecta. The analyses of optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and the Neubauer chamber demonstrated no significant effect of the operating conditions of the MF system on the cellular structure of Chlorella sp., however, for D. tertiolecta, the analysis showed the need to operate the system at lower TMP of 0.15 bar. The average percentage of fouling observed was 16 % for Chlorella sp. and 6 %. for D. tertiolecta for both crossflow velocities tested. The resistance of the membrane was elevated when compared with the resistance due to fouling for both suspensions of microalgae. In batch mode, it was observed, for all the experiments, complete retention of microalgal cells by microfiltration membrane. The average volumetric concentration factor was 2.6 for the suspension of Chlorella sp. and 2.5 for D. tertiolecta. In the operation of the system in diafiltration mode was possible to reduce the the salt content in 42 % for the Chlorella sp. and 38 % for D. tertiolecta. The model of Hermia model was used in software EMSO for the determination of fouling mechanisms, and it is concluded that the cake formation was the dominant fouling in the filtration of Chlorella sp.. For D. tertiolecta, all the mechanisms adjusted well to the experimental data, demonstrating that all mechanisms occurred simultaneously. Were proposed two different culture mediums for the reuse of the permeate stream: the plain permeate and the permeate enriched with micronutrients. It was possible to verify the ability of the permeate as cultivation medium, mainly for the D. tertiolecta; in this case, the permeate enriched with micronutrients presented greater capacity for growth when compared with the standard medium. On the other hand, for the cultivation of Chlorella sp., the biomass concentration achieved using both, the plain permeate and the enriched one was less than that achieved using the standard medium. The results obtained in this work proved that the microfiltration process is a promising alternative for the concentration and purification of suspensions of microalgae. In addition, the permeate stream generated could be used as a growth medium, ensuring thereby a less consumption of water and nutrients, improving the economic viability of the process.

Microalgas são microrganismos fotossintéticos, capazes de sintetizar uma ampla gama de produtos dependendo de sua rota metabólica. A produção de microalgas envolve as etapas de cultivo, recuperação da biomassa e obtenção dos produtos intracelulares, sendo a etapa de recuperação de biomassa um gargalo da produção. No presente estudo foi avaliado a concentração e purificação de biomassa de duas espécies de microalgas, Chlorella sp. e Dunaliella tertiolecta, através da microfiltração tangencial, nos seguintes modos de operação: reciclo total, batelada e batelada combinada com diafiltração. Também foi avaliada a disponibilidade de reuso do permeado como meio de cultivo para as microalgas. No modo de reciclo total foram testadas quatro pressões transmembranas (PTM) para Chlorella sp. e cinco pressões transmembranas para D. tertiolecta em duas velocidades tangenciais para determinação das melhores condições operacionais para as etapas posteriores de concentração e purificação, considerando o efeito dessas condições de operação sobre a integridade celular. A velocidade selecionada foi 0,6 m s-1 para o processamento das duas suspensões de microalgas e a PTM de 0,5 bar para Chlorella sp. e de 0,15 bar para D. tertiolecta. As análises de microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e na câmara Neubauer não demostraram um efeito significativo do sistema de MF sobre a estrutura celular de Chlorella sp., entretanto, para D. tertiolecta, as análises mostraram a necessidade de operar o sistema em PTM de 0,15 bar. Foi observado um baixo percentual médio de fouling, sendo de 16 % para Chlorella sp. e 6 % para D. tertiolecta para as duas velocidades tangenciais testadas. A resistência da membrana foi elevada quando comparada com a resistência devido ao fouling de ambas as suspensões de microalgas. Em modo batelada, observou-se em todos os experimentos, a completa retenção das células de microalgas pela membrana de microfiltração. O fator de concentração volumétrico médio foi de 2,6 para a suspensão de Chlorella sp. e 2,5 para a de D. tertiolecta. Na operação do sistema em modo diafiltração foi possível reduzir o teor salino em 42 % para o concentrado da Chlorella sp. e 38 % para o concentrado de D. tertiolecta. O modelo de Hermia modificado por Field foi utilizado em software EMSO para a determinação dos mecanismos de fouling, e concluiu-se que a formação de torta foi o mecanismo de fouling dominante em filtração de Chlorella sp.. Para D. tertiolecta, todos os mecanismos se ajustaram bem aos dados experimentais, indicando que os mesmos ocorreram simultaneamente. Foram propostos dois tipos de meio de cultura para o reuso da corrente de permeado: o permeado simples e o permeado enriquecido com a adição de micronutrientes. Foi possível verificar a utilização do permeado como meio de cultivo, principalmente para o cultivo de D. tertiolecta; o permeado com adição de micronutrientes apresentou maior capacidade de crescimento que o meio padrão para esta microalga. No cultivo da Chlorella sp., a concentração de biomassa alcançada utilizando o permeado simples e enriquecido foi inferior a concentração de biomassa em meio de cultivo padrão. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho comprovaram que o processo de microfiltração apresenta-se como uma alternativa promissora na etapa de concentração e purificação de suspensões de microalgas; além disso, a corrente de permeado gerada pode ser utilizada como meio de cultivo, garantindo, desta forma, um menor consumo de água e nutrientes, melhorando a viabilidade econômica do processo. / Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms with simple structures and capable to synthesize a wide range of products depending on their metabolic route. The production of microalgae comprises the steps of cultivation, biomass recovery and extraction of intracellular products, being the stage of biomass recovery a production bottleneck. In the present study was evaluated the concentration and purification of biomass of two species of microalgae, Chlorella sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta, by crossflow microfiltration, in the following modes of operation: total recycling, batch and batch combined with diafiltration. It was also assessed the availability of the reuse the permeate as medium for microalgae cultivation. In total recycling mode were tested four different transmembrane pressures (TMP) for Chlorella sp. and five transmembrane pressures for D. tertiolecta in two crossflow velocities to determine the proper operating conditions for the stages of concentration and purification, considering the effect of operating conditions on the cellular integrity. The selected crossflow velocity was 0.6 m s-1 for processing the two suspensions of microalgae and TMP of 0.5 bar for Chlorella sp. and 0.15 bar for D. tertiolecta. The analyses of optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and the Neubauer chamber demonstrated no significant effect of the operating conditions of the MF system on the cellular structure of Chlorella sp., however, for D. tertiolecta, the analysis showed the need to operate the system at lower TMP of 0.15 bar. The average percentage of fouling observed was 16 % for Chlorella sp. and 6 %. for D. tertiolecta for both crossflow velocities tested. The resistance of the membrane was elevated when compared with the resistance due to fouling for both suspensions of microalgae. In batch mode, it was observed, for all the experiments, complete retention of microalgal cells by microfiltration membrane. The average volumetric concentration factor was 2.6 for the suspension of Chlorella sp. and 2.5 for D. tertiolecta. In the operation of the system in diafiltration mode was possible to reduce the the salt content in 42 % for the Chlorella sp. and 38 % for D. tertiolecta. The model of Hermia model was used in software EMSO for the determination of fouling mechanisms, and it is concluded that the cake formation was the dominant fouling in the filtration of Chlorella sp.. For D. tertiolecta, all the mechanisms adjusted well to the experimental data, demonstrating that all mechanisms occurred simultaneously. Were proposed two different culture mediums for the reuse of the permeate stream: the plain permeate and the permeate enriched with micronutrients. It was possible to verify the ability of the permeate as cultivation medium, mainly for the D. tertiolecta; in this case, the permeate enriched with micronutrients presented greater capacity for growth when compared with the standard medium. On the other hand, for the cultivation of Chlorella sp., the biomass concentration achieved using both, the plain permeate and the enriched one was less than that achieved using the standard medium. The results obtained in this work proved that the microfiltration process is a promising alternative for the concentration and purification of suspensions of microalgae. In addition, the permeate stream generated could be used as a growth medium, ensuring thereby a less consumption of water and nutrients, improving the economic viability of the process.