Investigation of the Fatty Acid Profile in Some Macroalgae in Relation to the Environmental Conditions for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Abstract:In this study, fatty acids profile was determined in four algal species; namely Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis and Pterocladiella capillacea (Rhodophyta) which were collected from two sites (Abu-Qir Bay and Eastern Harbor) located on the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea during the four seasons in the period (2011)(2012). In addition, nutrient content in the algal species (total nitrogen and phosphorus) and the environmental conditions of the ambient sea water were measured to find out their effect on the algal fatty acids content. The nitrogen content in algal species was almost equal in both sites. In contrast, the phosphorus content was higher in Abu-Qir (0.33-1.71%) than in Eastern Harbor (0.21-0.74%). The fatty acids profile showed different correlations with water's physico-chemical properties. The fatty acids profile of the four algal species revealed high content of SFAs against MUFA and PUFA in both sites. Consequently, the algae were screened to define the suitable site, season and species for the highest quality and quantity of biodiesel production. Biodiesel physical properties;

Physical Pretreatment of Ulva Fasciata for Enhancingbiodiesel Production and Quality

“…The dried algal biomass (<0.16 mm particle size) was weighted (1 g ± 0.001) into 100 ml screw top bottles. A total of 25 ml solvent was added in a predetermined sequence according to modified Folch et al (1957) (Shaltout and Shams El-Din, 2015) Thereafter, the mixture was filtered by using Whatman filter paper No. 1 (Whatman, USA).…”

“…The most important, is that they do not need any chemical fertilizers. For all these reasons, recent researches around the world focused on algae for biofuel production; either bioehanol(Ghaza et al 2016), biogas (Montingelli et al, 2016), or biodiesel (Shaltout and Shams El-Din, 2015).…”

Optimization and Kinetic studies of biodiesel production from the green alga Ulva fasciata Delile

“…The dried algal biomass (<0.16 mm particle size) was weighted (1 g ± 0.001) into 100 ml screw top bottles. A total of 25 ml solvent was added in a predetermined sequence according to Folch et al (1957) with some modifications set by Shaltout and Shams El-Din (2015), where lipids were extracted from the alga with 15 ml of chloroform/methanol (2/1, v/v) by shaking at 250 rpm in an orbital shaking incubator (model: JSSI-100T) and 55°C for 30 minutes. This was followed by the addition of a mixture of methanol/water (10 ml, 1:1, v/v) to achieve a final solvent mixture ratio of 2:2:1 for chloroform: methanol: water.…”

“…In this context, the green seaweed Ulva fasciata Delile was selected as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. It has high lipid and fatty acid contents compared with other algal species (Shaltout and Shams El-Din, 2015). It grows luxuriantly, widespread along Alexandria shores and has worldwide distribution regardless of geographical barriers (Aleem, 1993;Abdallah, 2010;El-Nemr et al, 2012).…”

“…Moreover, Shaltout and Shams El-Din (2015) concluded that Ulva fasciata collected from Abu Qir Bay can be considered as the most suitable and promising source for biodiesel production.…”