Effective Harvesting of Nannochloropsis Microalgae Using Mushroom Chitosan: A Pilot-Scale Study.

Elvis, T. Chua and Ajam, Y. Shekh and Eladl, Eltanahy and Thomas Hall, Skye R. and Peer, M. Schenk (2020) Effective Harvesting of Nannochloropsis Microalgae Using Mushroom Chitosan: A Pilot-Scale Study. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8. pp. 1-8.

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Abstract

For efficient downstream processing, harvesting remains as one of the challenges in producing Nannochloropsis biomass, a microalga with high-value omega-3 oils. Flocculation is an effective, low-energy, low-cost method to harvest microalgae. Chitosan has been shown to be an effective food-grade flocculant; however, commercial chitosan is sourced from crustaceans, which has disadvantages including concerns over heavy-metal contamination. Thus, this study tests the flocculation potential of mushroom chitosan. Our results indicate a 13% yield of chitosan from mushroom. The identity of the prepared chitosan was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, results show that mushroom chitosan can be an alternative flocculant with >95% flocculation efficiency when tested in 100-mL jar and 200-L vertical column photobioreactor. Applications in a 2000-L raceway pond demonstrated that thorough mixing of mushroom chitosan with the algal culture is required to achieve efficient flocculation. With proper mixing, mushroom chitosan can be used to produce food-grade Nannochloropsis biomass suitable for the production of vegan omega-3 oils as a fish oil alternative.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Nannochloropsis, flocculation, mushroom, chitosan, harvesting, vegan, omega-3
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 04 Chemistry and Allied Sciences > 28 Polysaccharide Chemistry 500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 07 Life Sciences > 04 Microbiology > 01 Algae
Divisions:	Plant Cell Biotechnology
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2021 06:42
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2021 06:42
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/7931

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