CO2 bio-fixation and biofuel production in an airlift photobioreactor by an isolated strain of microalgae Coelastrum sp. SM under high CO2 concentrations

Microalgae cultivation is a promising approach to remove ambient CO2 via photosynthesis process. This paper investigates the impact of high CO2 concentrations (6, 12, and 16%) on algae growth, CO2 biofixation, lipid and carbohydrate contents, and nutrient removal of newly isolated microalgae, Coelastrum sp. SM. In addition, the ability of microalgae to produce biodiesel at optimal condition was studied. The microalgae were cultivated in wastewater using an airlift photobioreactor. Under 12% CO2, the maximum biomass productivity and CO2 fixation rate were 0.267 g L−1 day−1 and 0.302 g L−1 h−1, respectively. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate, and sCOD removal efficiency were 84.01, 100, 86.811, and 73.084%, respectively. Under 12% CO2 and at the same condition for cell growth, the highest lipid and carbohydrate contents were 3 7.91 and 58.45%, respectively. The composition of fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) of the microalga lipid was defined. Based on the obtained results and FAME profile, Coelastrum sp. SM was a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production and also, the organism had a great potential for CO2 biofixation, which is also more suitable than any other reported strains in other related studies.