title: Seasonal variation in Laminaria digitata and its impact on biochemical conversion routes to biofuels.
abstract: Laminaria digitata is a highly prevalent kelp growing off the coast of the UK but has rarely been considered as a source of biomass to date. This study shows it can be used as a feedstock in both ethanol fermentation and anaerobic digestion for methane production. The study optimised several parameters in the fermentation of L. digitata and investigated the suitability of the macroalgae through the year using samples harvested every month. For both methane and ethanol production, minimum yields were seen in material harvested in March when the carbohydrates laminarin and mannitol were lowest. July material contained the highest combined laminarin and mannitol content and maximum yields of 167 mL ethanol and 0.219 m(3) kg(-1)L. digitata.
authors: Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth SY23 3EB, UK.
authors: J M M
authors: JM
authors: Adams
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Toop
authors: I S
authors: IS
authors: Donnison
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D044602:Cellulases / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005285:Fermentation / Q000502:physiology; D007795:Laminaria / Q000378:metabolism*; D008697:Methane / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D012015:Reference Standards; D012621:Seasons; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D002241:Carbohydrates; D000431:Ethanol; D044602:Cellulases; D008697:Methane