title: Pre-treatment options for halophytic microalgae and associated methane production.
abstract: Methane production from lipid extracted, pre-treated disrupted and non-pretreated Tetraselmis spp. microalgae was investigated. The results demonstrated that 122 mL per g VS methane was produced for the lipid extracted Tetraselmis spp., demonstrating that lipid free Tetraselmis can be effectively digested in an anaerobic environment. A total of 252 mL per g VS and 248 mL per g VS of methane was reported for non-disrupted and pre-treated disrupted Tetraselmis sp. respectively. It was also observed that the microbial community caused cell lysis of Tetraselmis spp. during the anaerobic digestion process. Cell lyses can offer a direct conversion pathway of intact Tetraselmis spp. for energy production, thus negating the need for pre-treatment.
authors.affiliation: Microalgae Engineering Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: andrew.ward@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Microalgae Engineering Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Muradel Pty Ltd, Whyalla, South Australia 5600, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000378:metabolism; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D055051:Salt-Tolerant Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases; D008697:Methane
keywords: Halophytic microalgae; High salinity anaerobic digestion; Lipid extracted biomass; Microbial degradation; Pre-treatment