In recent years, there has been a concern for the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and how it will be captured. One way to capture carbon dioxide is with algae. In this study, algae's growth was measured at different temperatures. The first part of the study was to grow Scenedesmus and Chlorella with M8 or urea growth media at a temperature of 25, 30 or 35ºC. It was found that 30ºC had the best growth rates for both algae. The second part studied Scenedesmus growth with urea, more in-depth, and found the optimum growth temperature to be 27.5ºC with a growth rate of 0.29 1/hr. The last part of the study was a heat transfer model which predicted the temperature of a greenhouse and an outdoor unit. The model could also predict the growth rate of the algae and the temperature if flue gas is mixed in with the algae.

The effect of FdUrd, zeocin, caffeine and their combination on the cell cycle of green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Scenedesmus quadricauda and response of these model organisms to DNA damage were studied. Both, FdUrd and zeocin, caused DNA damage that led to cell cycle arrest in these algae. In contrast, caffeine partially abolished G2 phase block imposed by zeocin. Protein levels of three crucial cell cycle regulators - CdkA, CdkB and Wee1 kinases were measured to identify mechanisms controlling reaction to DNA damage.

The aim of the work was to examine microalgae growth and nutrient elimination in various diluted digestates in the first trial, then to study CO2 removal from a simulated biogas mixture by the same strain in the second trial. Scenedesmus SCCP K-1826 was cultivated in the digestate from Sundet biogas plant diluted 10, 20 and 30 times. The cultures were open-air with occasional CO2 injections to control pH. On day 15, the best growth was obtained in the 10 times diluted sample. COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies were similar in each bottle as the strain didn’t perform better in any specific dilution. The control proved that additional mechanisms other than photosynthesis contributed to digestate cleaning. Using the 10 times diluted sludge, Scenedesmus was grown in sealed flasks filled with simulated biogas (35.3 % CO2 + 32.3 % CH4 + 32.3 % N2). More algal biomass was produced in this batch culture. Nutrient removal efficiencies were close to the ones reached in the open-air flasks. After 10 days, 96 % of carbon dioxide was reduced. Methane content was depleted as well, possibly due to undesirable methane oxidizing bacteria which infiltrated the medium.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2017-05-30T13:27:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 796270 bytes, checksum: 7fff46a9d3a52c63d7b42f821ece99fa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-30T13:27:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 796270 bytes, checksum: 7fff46a9d3a52c63d7b42f821ece99fa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-20 / A busca pela redução no custo de produção de biodiesel a partir de microalgas é um fator essencial para viabilizar a utilização desta fonte de energia na matriz energética mundial. Diante desta questão, verificou-se a possibilidade da utilização do gás ozônio na recuperação dos nutrientes assimilados pela microalga Scenedesmus obliquus BR003, durante seu cultivo em meio BG11 e posterior reuso em cultivo subsequente. O espectro de absorbância no visível da microalga durante a ozonização revelou que, a partir de 34 minutos de tratamento não ocorrem variações significativas nos valores de absorbância. Os picos de absorção encontrados foram de 436, 470 e 680 nm, que representam a clorofila a (436 e 680 nm) e os carotenóides (470 nm). Para os resultados de massa seca durante o processo de ozonização, o tempo de estabilização dos valores foi similar, durando cerca de 35 minutos. Após análise do perfil eletroforético em gel de poliacrilamida, foi possível identificar a oxidação das proteínas ao longo da ozonização. Para os nutrientes, os teores disponibilizados de amônio, nitrato e fosfato, após 50 minutos de ozonização, foram de 1,1, 5,7 e 1,2 mg L -1 , respectivamente, evidenciando a possibilidade de recuperação dos nutrientes presentes nas células de microalgas. O cultivo realizado somente com o extrato decorrente da ozonização de microalgas, obteve biomassa final de 0,64 g L -1 , resultado semelhante ao cultivo em meio BG11 suplementado com o mesmo extrato (0,66 g L -1 ) e três vezes superior ao meio BG11 sem suplementação (0,21 g L -1 ). De forma geral, os tratamentos em que o nitrogênio presente no meio BG11 não foi aplicado apresentaram maiores teores de lipídios. Outro indicador de estresse por falta de nitrogênio foram os teores de clorofila a, clorofila b e carotenoides totais, em que, os tratamentos com baixo teores de nitrogênio apresentaram menores concentrações destes pigmentos. O custo estimado de ozonização das microalgas para se obter um litro de lipídios ficou em R$ 5,75, contudo com o aumento da escala e melhorias na produtividade de lipídios este custo caiu para R$ 2,33. Ressalta-se que, o aumento da eficiência do processo de ozonização pode permitir a redução do custo destes valores. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam a possibilidade da utilização do gás ozônio, no processo de reaproveitamento de nutrientes a partir do cultivo da microalga Scenedesmus obliquus. / The need of reducing the cost of microalgae-based biodiesel production is a crucial factor to turn its adoption feasible in the world energy matrix. Faced with this issue, an experiment was set up to investigate the potential use of ozone gas on recovering nutrients assimilated by the microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus BR003 during its subsequent cultivation in BG11 medium. After 34 min of ozonization, analyzes of absorbance in the visible spectrum of the microalgae revealed that no significant variation in absorbance values was observed. Absorption peaks were found at 436, 470 and 680 nm, which represents chlorophyll a (436 and 680 nm), and carotenoids (470 nm). Moreover, assessment of dry mass weights during the ozonization process showed similar values for stabilization period of approximately 35 minutes. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the oxidation in proteins bands along the process of ozonation. For nutrients, the levels of available ammonium, nitrate and phosphate, after 50 minutes of ozonization, were 1.1, 5.7 and 1.2 mg L -1 , respectively; therefore, indicating that nutrients present in the microalgae cells can be potentially recovered. The cultivation carried out solely with the extract obtained after microalgae ozonization resulted in 0.64 g L -1 of final biomass. Similar results were found when BG11 culture medium supplemented with the same extract were used (0.66 g L -1 ); however, values were three-fold higher when BG11 medium without supplementation was adopted (0.21 g L -1 ). Generally, the treatments with no nitrogen supplementation showed higher levels of lipids. Furthermore, other indicators of nitrogen deficiency such as low levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were noticed. Accordingly, the treatment with low levels of nitrogen showed lower concentrations of these pigments. The estimated cost to produce one liter of lipids via microalgae ozonization was R$ 5.75, even though this cost decreased to R$ 2.33 per liter when large production scales and improvement of lipids yield was adopted. Consequently, increasing the efficiency of the ozonization process might enable further reduction of the costs previously calculated. The results obtained in this study, indicate the possibility of the use of ozone gas in the process of nutrient recycling, from the cultivation of microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus.

A vinhaça é o resíduo mais abundante gerado no processo de produção de etanol, sendo que a cada litro de etanol são gerados de 10 a 18 litros de vinhaça. Sua disposição é tema de grande preocupação, por sua elevada carga de matéria orgânica e o pH ácido. Embora seja um resíduo poluente, contém macronutrientes que podem ser usados para o cultivo de micro-organismos úteis aos seres humanos como é o caso apresentado neste trabalho, onde a vinhaça foi utilizada para cultivo da microalga Scenedesmus sp. As microalgas são apontadas como uma alternativa promissora para substituição dos combustíveis fósseis. Entretanto, seu custo ainda é elevado devido a vários fatores, dentre os quais os nutrientes que devem ser fornecidos para crescimento. Assim, o uso de rejeitos como fonte de nutrientes pode auxiliar a reduzir este balanço desfavorável. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade técnica de produção da Scenedesmus sp. para tratar vinhaça de etanol de cana de açúcar. Inicialmente, testou-se a viabilidade de crescimento da microalga nesses meios. Uma vez corroborado que é possível seu crescimento, foram realizados planejamentos experimentais que avaliaram os fatores que influenciam no crescimento. O planejamento fatorial demonstrou que é possível cultivar microalgas em concentrações de até 40% de vinhaça. O planejamento composto central rotacional demonstrou o seguinte: a intensidade luminosa e a porcentagem de vinhaça influenciam na quantidade de biomassa a ser produzida, e a temperatura, entre 20 e 35°C, não tem um efeito significativo quando se trabalha com porcentagens menores que 40% de vinhaça. Foram analisados parâmetros como o DBO, conteúdo de nitrogênio e fósforo, que demonstraram que fotobiorreatores com até 32% geram vinhaça tratada com valores de DBO menores que 106 mg/L, conseguindo remover até 96% de nitrogênio e 99,9% de fósforo. Como dado adicional se avaliou os métodos de espectrofotometria e espectroscopia de fluorescência, que se mostraram métodos adequados para acompanhar o crescimento microalgal em fotobiorreatores. / Vinasse is one of the most polluting wastes generated in the process of ethanol production,with each liter of ethanol are generated between 10 to 18 liters os vinasse. Its suitable disposal is an issue of great concern due to its high load of organic matter and acidity. Although this is a polluting waste, contains nutrients which can be used for cultivation of micro-organisms that may be useful to humans as is the case presented in this work, where vinasse was used for cultivation of the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Microalgae are currently reported in the literature as a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels. However, its cost is still high due to several factors, such as the nutrients that must be supplied for growth. Thus, the use of waste as a source of nutrients may assist in reducing this unfavorable balance. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility of production of microalgae Scenedesmus sp. to treat ethanol stillage. First, cultivations with different percentages of vinasse were done aiming to verify wether they are able to grow in medium supplemented with vinasse. The factorial design has shown that it is possible to cultivate microalgae at concentrations up to 40% of vinasse in the culture medium. The central composite design showed that light intensity and percentage of vinasse influence the amount of biomass to be produced. Additionally, the temperature between 20 and 35°C has not a significant effect when working with percentages smaller than 40% of vinasse. The analyzed parameters were BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus content demonstrated that photobioreactors with up to 32% vinasse generate vinasse treated with BOD values lower than 106 mg/L achieving a remotion of 96% nitrogen and 99.9% phosphorus. Finally, it was also shown that spectrophotometry and 2D fluorescence spectroscopy are suitable methods for monitoring the microalgae growth.

abstract: Microalgae represent a potential sustainable alternative for the enhancement and protection of agricultural crops. The dry biomass and cellular extracts of Scenedesmus dimorphus were applied as a biofertilizer, a foliar spray, and a seed primer to evaluate seed germination, plant growth, and crop yield of Roma tomato plants. The dry biomass was applied as a biofertilizer at 50 g and 100 g per plant, to evaluate its effects on plant development and crop yield. Biofertilizer treatments enhanced plant growth and led to greater crop (fruit) production. Timing of biofertilizer application proved to be of importance - earlier 50 g biofertilizer application resulted in greater plant growth. Scenedesmus dimorphus culture, growth medium, and different concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) of aqueous cell extracts were used as seed primers to determine effects on germination. Seeds treated with Scenedesmus dimorphus culture and with extract concentrations higher than 50 % (0.75 g ml-1) triggered faster germination - 2 days earlier than the control group. Extract foliar sprays of 50 ml and 100 ml, were obtained and applied to tomato plants at various extract concentrations (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Plant height, flower development and number of branches were significantly enhanced with 50 % (7.5 g ml-1) extracts. Higher concentration sprays led to a decrease in growth. The extracts were further screened to assess potential antimicrobial activity against the bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, the fungi Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404. No antimicrobial activity was observed from the microalga extracts on the selected microorganisms. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Applied Biological Sciences 2014

A vinhaça é o resíduo mais abundante gerado no processo de produção de etanol, sendo que a cada litro de etanol são gerados de 10 a 18 litros de vinhaça. Sua disposição é tema de grande preocupação, por sua elevada carga de matéria orgânica e o pH ácido. Embora seja um resíduo poluente, contém macronutrientes que podem ser usados para o cultivo de micro-organismos úteis aos seres humanos como é o caso apresentado neste trabalho, onde a vinhaça foi utilizada para cultivo da microalga Scenedesmus sp. As microalgas são apontadas como uma alternativa promissora para substituição dos combustíveis fósseis. Entretanto, seu custo ainda é elevado devido a vários fatores, dentre os quais os nutrientes que devem ser fornecidos para crescimento. Assim, o uso de rejeitos como fonte de nutrientes pode auxiliar a reduzir este balanço desfavorável. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade técnica de produção da Scenedesmus sp. para tratar vinhaça de etanol de cana de açúcar. Inicialmente, testou-se a viabilidade de crescimento da microalga nesses meios. Uma vez corroborado que é possível seu crescimento, foram realizados planejamentos experimentais que avaliaram os fatores que influenciam no crescimento. O planejamento fatorial demonstrou que é possível cultivar microalgas em concentrações de até 40% de vinhaça. O planejamento composto central rotacional demonstrou o seguinte: a intensidade luminosa e a porcentagem de vinhaça influenciam na quantidade de biomassa a ser produzida, e a temperatura, entre 20 e 35°C, não tem um efeito significativo quando se trabalha com porcentagens menores que 40% de vinhaça. Foram analisados parâmetros como o DBO, conteúdo de nitrogênio e fósforo, que demonstraram que fotobiorreatores com até 32% geram vinhaça tratada com valores de DBO menores que 106 mg/L, conseguindo remover até 96% de nitrogênio e 99,9% de fósforo. Como dado adicional se avaliou os métodos de espectrofotometria e espectroscopia de fluorescência, que se mostraram métodos adequados para acompanhar o crescimento microalgal em fotobiorreatores. / Vinasse is one of the most polluting wastes generated in the process of ethanol production,with each liter of ethanol are generated between 10 to 18 liters os vinasse. Its suitable disposal is an issue of great concern due to its high load of organic matter and acidity. Although this is a polluting waste, contains nutrients which can be used for cultivation of micro-organisms that may be useful to humans as is the case presented in this work, where vinasse was used for cultivation of the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Microalgae are currently reported in the literature as a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels. However, its cost is still high due to several factors, such as the nutrients that must be supplied for growth. Thus, the use of waste as a source of nutrients may assist in reducing this unfavorable balance. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility of production of microalgae Scenedesmus sp. to treat ethanol stillage. First, cultivations with different percentages of vinasse were done aiming to verify wether they are able to grow in medium supplemented with vinasse. The factorial design has shown that it is possible to cultivate microalgae at concentrations up to 40% of vinasse in the culture medium. The central composite design showed that light intensity and percentage of vinasse influence the amount of biomass to be produced. Additionally, the temperature between 20 and 35°C has not a significant effect when working with percentages smaller than 40% of vinasse. The analyzed parameters were BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus content demonstrated that photobioreactors with up to 32% vinasse generate vinasse treated with BOD values lower than 106 mg/L achieving a remotion of 96% nitrogen and 99.9% phosphorus. Finally, it was also shown that spectrophotometry and 2D fluorescence spectroscopy are suitable methods for monitoring the microalgae growth.

A vinhaça é o resíduo mais abundante gerado no processo de produção de etanol, sendo que a cada litro de etanol são gerados de 10 a 18 litros de vinhaça. Sua disposição é tema de grande preocupação, por sua elevada carga de matéria orgânica e o pH ácido. Embora seja um resíduo poluente, contém macronutrientes que podem ser usados para o cultivo de micro-organismos úteis aos seres humanos como é o caso apresentado neste trabalho, onde a vinhaça foi utilizada para cultivo da microalga Scenedesmus sp. As microalgas são apontadas como uma alternativa promissora para substituição dos combustíveis fósseis. Entretanto, seu custo ainda é elevado devido a vários fatores, dentre os quais os nutrientes que devem ser fornecidos para crescimento. Assim, o uso de rejeitos como fonte de nutrientes pode auxiliar a reduzir este balanço desfavorável. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade técnica de produção da Scenedesmus sp. para tratar vinhaça de etanol de cana de açúcar. Inicialmente, testou-se a viabilidade de crescimento da microalga nesses meios. Uma vez corroborado que é possível seu crescimento, foram realizados planejamentos experimentais que avaliaram os fatores que influenciam no crescimento. O planejamento fatorial demonstrou que é possível cultivar microalgas em concentrações de até 40% de vinhaça. O planejamento composto central rotacional demonstrou o seguinte: a intensidade luminosa e a porcentagem de vinhaça influenciam na quantidade de biomassa a ser produzida, e a temperatura, entre 20 e 35°C, não tem um efeito significativo quando se trabalha com porcentagens menores que 40% de vinhaça. Foram analisados parâmetros como o DBO, conteúdo de nitrogênio e fósforo, que demonstraram que fotobiorreatores com até 32% geram vinhaça tratada com valores de DBO menores que 106 mg/L, conseguindo remover até 96% de nitrogênio e 99,9% de fósforo. Como dado adicional se avaliou os métodos de espectrofotometria e espectroscopia de fluorescência, que se mostraram métodos adequados para acompanhar o crescimento microalgal em fotobiorreatores. / Vinasse is one of the most polluting wastes generated in the process of ethanol production,with each liter of ethanol are generated between 10 to 18 liters os vinasse. Its suitable disposal is an issue of great concern due to its high load of organic matter and acidity. Although this is a polluting waste, contains nutrients which can be used for cultivation of micro-organisms that may be useful to humans as is the case presented in this work, where vinasse was used for cultivation of the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Microalgae are currently reported in the literature as a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels. However, its cost is still high due to several factors, such as the nutrients that must be supplied for growth. Thus, the use of waste as a source of nutrients may assist in reducing this unfavorable balance. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility of production of microalgae Scenedesmus sp. to treat ethanol stillage. First, cultivations with different percentages of vinasse were done aiming to verify wether they are able to grow in medium supplemented with vinasse. The factorial design has shown that it is possible to cultivate microalgae at concentrations up to 40% of vinasse in the culture medium. The central composite design showed that light intensity and percentage of vinasse influence the amount of biomass to be produced. Additionally, the temperature between 20 and 35°C has not a significant effect when working with percentages smaller than 40% of vinasse. The analyzed parameters were BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus content demonstrated that photobioreactors with up to 32% vinasse generate vinasse treated with BOD values lower than 106 mg/L achieving a remotion of 96% nitrogen and 99.9% phosphorus. Finally, it was also shown that spectrophotometry and 2D fluorescence spectroscopy are suitable methods for monitoring the microalgae growth.

Dissertação(mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos, Escola de Química e Alimentos, 2007. / Submitted by Caroline Silva (krol_bilhar@hotmail.com) on 2012-09-25T21:54:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 cultivo de microalgas com gases de combusto formados da gerao termeltrica.pdf: 1291931 bytes, checksum: 947e8e39923ea39e3dd24f11490dae18 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2012-11-07T00:58:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 cultivo de microalgas com gases de combusto formados da gerao termeltrica.pdf: 1291931 bytes, checksum: 947e8e39923ea39e3dd24f11490dae18 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-07T00:58:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 cultivo de microalgas com gases de combusto formados da gerao termeltrica.pdf: 1291931 bytes, checksum: 947e8e39923ea39e3dd24f11490dae18 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / O aumento da concentração de gás carbônico na atmosfera tem sensíveis conseqüências ambientais. Nos últimos anos a emissão de CO2 na atmosfera aumentou de 280ppm (1800) para 380ppm (2004), sendo cerca de 22% dessas emissões causadas por plantas de energia termelétrica. Dentre as várias alternativas para captura e utilização de CO2, uma abordagem particularmente interessante é o emprego de microalgas. As microalgas se destacam por apresentarem diversas potencialidades, como fonte de alimento e fonte para obtenção de bioprodutos, e também podem contribuir na redução do efeito estufa, fixando CO2. As microalgas Chlorella e Spirulina apresentam em sua composição alto teor de proteínas, ácidos graxos, sais minerais e pigmentos, e além disso, possuem certificado GRAS(Generally Recognized As Safe), podendo ser utilizadas como alimento sem oferecer risco à saúde humana. A captura do CO2 do gás de combustão de carvão é possível usando microalgas, tanto por separação como por uso direto do gás de combustão, sendo este último mais vantajoso, em função de uma maior economia de energia. Alguns agravantes podem influenciar no uso direto do gás de combustão como a alta temperatura, concentração de CO2 acima de 15% e a presença de SOx, NOx e material particulado (em especial cinzas), dificultando assim, o método direto, a menos que a microalga suporte condições extremas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a utilização de gases de combustão do carvão provenientes da geração termelétrica, para cultivo de microalgas. Previamente foi realizada seleção de microalgas quanto à resistência a SO2 que pode ser formado da combustão do carvão para geração de energia elétrica. As microalgas estudadas foram Chlorella homosphaera, Scenedesmus obliquus e Spirulina sp. expostas a de 6% de CO2 e 30ppm de SO2. A máxima produtividade de biomassa alcançada foi 0,19 g.L-1.d-1 e concentração celular máxima 2,92 g.L-1, ambos para microalga Spirulina sp. Após estudou-se as microalgas S. obliquus e Spirulina sp. em um sistema de FBRs em série em diferentes concentrações de CO2, SO2, NO e diferentes temperaturas. Foi alcançada concentração celular média máxima de 3,29 g.L-1 e fixação de CO2 máxima de 35,87%, ambos resultados para Spirulina sp. Seguindo o estudo em biofixação de CO2 por microalgas, foram isoladas as microalgas Synechococcus nidulans e Chlorella vulgaris da lagoa de estabilização da Usina Termelétrica Presidente Médici – UTPM/CGTEE, sul do Brasil. As microalgas isoladas foram cultivadas e comparadas com as microalgas Spirulina sp e S.s obliquus, em relação a biofixação de CO2. As microalgas foram expostas a 12% CO2, 60 ppm de SO2 e 100 ppm de NO, simulando um gás de combustão de carvão. A C. vulgaris apresentou comportamento semelhante a Spirulina sp., alcançando 13,43% de fixação diária máxima. Foi determinado o conteúdo lipídico e a composição em ácidos graxos das microalgas Spirulina sp., S. obliquus, S. nidulans e C. vulgaris cultivadas em meio contendo 12% de CO2, 60 ppm de SO2 e 100 ppm de NO à 30ºC. A microalga S. obliquus apresentou o maior teor lipídico (6,18%). Para as demais microalgas o conteúdo lipídico variou de 4,56 a 5,97%. O maior conteúdo em AGMI foi 66,01% para a S. obliquus. Os ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA) foram alcançados em maior quantidade pelas microalgas Spirulina sp. (29,37%) e S. nidulans (29,54%). Os resultados mostraram que o cultivo de microalgas enriquecido com os gases CO2, SO2 e NO, apresentaram uma biomassa rica em ácidos graxos, podendo estes ser utilizados tanto para a alimentação (ácidos graxos insaturados), quanto para produção de biocombustíveis(ácidos graxos saturados). Além disso, as microalgas estudadas podem contribuir na redução do aquecimento global. / The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has sensible environmental consequences. In the recent years the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increased from 280ppm (1800) to 380ppm (2004), around 22% of these emissions caused by coal fired power plants. Amongst several alternatives for the capture and application of the CO2, one of the most interesting overviews it is the use of microalgae. Microalgae are gain eminence for presenting potentiality, like a source of nutrients and for biofuels production, besides, they can contribute with the greenhouse gas abatement, fixing CO2. Chlorella and Spirulina presents a high amount of proteins, fatty acids, minerals and pigments in their composition, besides, they have the GRAS certificate (Generally Recognized As Safe), allowing them to be used like food without offer any risk to the human health. The CO2 capture from the coal fired flue gas is possible, as by the separation of the CO2 as by the direct use of the flue gas, being the last one advantageous, due to the major energy economy. Some bottlenecks can influence the direct use of the flue gas like the high temperature of the gas, high CO2 concentration and the presence of SOx, NOx and particulate matter(specially ashes), becoming hard, thus the direct method, unless that the microalga could tolerate extreme conditions. The aim of this work was to study the utilization of coal fired flue gas from power plants in microalgal cultures. Previously, was carried out the selection of the microalgae resistant to SO2, witch can be formed in the coal fired power generation. The studied microalgae were Chlorella homosphaera, Scenedesmus obliquus and Spirulina sp. LEB-18 exposed to 6% CO2 and 30ppm SO2. The maximum biomass productivity was 0.19 g.L-1.d-1 and the maximum cell concentration was 2,92 g.L-1, both for Spirulina sp LEB-18. Later, S. obliquus and Spirulina sp. LEB-18 were studied in a serial FBRs system, at different concentration of CO2, SO2, NO and different temperatures. The average maximum cell concentration obtained was 3,29g.L- 1 and maximum CO2 fixation 35,87%, both results for Spirulina sp. Following the CO2 biofixation study by microalgae, the strains Synechococcus nidulans and Chlorella vulgaris were isolated from Presidente Médici’s wastewater treatment station, south of Brazil. The isolated strains were cultivated and their CO2 biofixation was compared with Spirulina sp and S. obliquus. The microalgae were exposed to 12% CO2, 60ppm SO2 and 100ppm NO, simulating the flue gas. C. vulgaris showed similar behavior to that of Spirulina sp LEB-18, reaching 13,43% of maximum daily fixation. The lipid content and the fatty acids composition were determined for Spirulina sp. LEB-18, S. obliquus, S. nidulans e C. vulgaris, cultivated in a medium with 12% CO2, 60ppm SO2 and 100ppm NO at 30°C. S. obliquus showed the major lipid content (6,18%). For the other microalgae the lipid content ranged from 4,56 to 5,97%. The major AGMI content was 66,01% for S. obliquus. The PUFA were obtained in major amount by Spirulina sp. LEB-18 (29,37%) and S. nidulans (29,54%). The results showed that microalgae cultures enriched with CO2, SO2 and NO, presented a fatty acids rich biomass, being able to be used as like a nutrient source (unsaturated fatty acids), as for biofuels production (saturated fatty acids). Besides, the studied microalgae can contribute for the global warm reduction.

Growing interest in biofuel production from non-fossil fuel sources has resulted in several studies exploring different raw material sources as feedstock, including many algae species, for large-scale production of biofuel. Algae are promising feedstock due to advantages such as its short growth cycle, high biomass production, and lipid content. However, there are still challenges to overcome in order to use algae for commercial biofuel production. One of these challenges is the requirement for a large quantity of water and nutrients needed for growing large quantities of the algae. This work explores a potential solution to this challenge by studying the possibility of using industrial wastewater to grow algae for biofuel production. However, many industrial wastewaters, including effluents from semiconductor processing plants, are known to contain heavy metals that are toxic to humans and the environment. In this work, the effects of four of such metals ions, As(V), As(III), Ga(III), and In(III) on Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus obliquus strains were studied. In particular, the heavy metal toxicity on the strains, effects on its growth rate, biomass yield, lipid content and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were studied. Also, the effect of controlling pH on growth rate, biomass yield, lipid content, and FAME was studied for Chlorella sorokiniana in the presence of Ga(III). The results of the study confirmed the toxicity of these metals on both strains. However, Ga(III) and In(III) had the highest effect, while As(V) showed the least toxicity to the strains, with Chlorella sorokiniana withstanding concentrations of As(V) as high as 140mg/L. The heavy metals were slightly more toxic to Scenedesmus obliquus compared to Chlorella sorokiniana. In addition, the heavy metals reduced the growth rate of both strains. High percent changes in growth rate (more than 50%) were seen in cultures containing Ga(III) and In(III). Furthermore, concentration measurements with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP) before, during, and at the end of the growth period, showed that Scenedesmus obliquus adsorbed higher amounts of the heavy metals compared to Chlorella sorokiniana. Microalgae biosorption of heavy metals limits its end use, hence making Scenedesmus obliquus a less favorable option for this study, but may be a better choice for wastewater treatment applications. The effects of the four metals on the lipid content and FAME profile of Chlorella sorokiniana were studied. The result showed an increase in Chlorella sorokiniana lipid content in the presence of In(III), but a decrease in the presence of As(V) and As(III). The heavy metals had effects on the strain’s FAME compositions. The fatty acid composition included C16:0, C16:1, C16:2, C16:3, C18:0, C18:1, ω-6, C18:2, ω-6, and C18:3, ω-3 accounting for more than 97% of the total FAME composition. Furthermore, controlling the pH of the culture in the presence of Ga(III) at 6.5 led to higher adsorption of the heavy metal, increase in lipid content, but no significant change in FAME composition.