Potencial de cianobactérias cultivadas em meio suplementado com vinhaça para produção de biodiesel

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes that show a wide morphological and metabolic variety, which favors the colonization of the most diverse types of environments. This versatility reflects in its numerous biotechnological applications in areas such as agriculture, energy, nutrition and effluent treatment. With the increasing in energy and food demand, cyanobacteria are considered a more sustainable alternative for the biosynthesis of products of industrial interest. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cyanobacteria growth in media supplemented with vinasse and its effect on lipid production and fatty acid composition, with focus on biodiesel production. So, eleven cyanobacterial strains from water samples from Amazonian rivers were morphologically and genetically identified as belonging to four orders-Nostocales, Chroococciodipsidales, Synecoccocales e Oscillatoriales. These strains had their growth evaluated in culture media supplemented with vinasse (1, 2,5, 5 and 10% v/v) and in vinasse diluted in ultrapure water (2,5, 5 and 10% v/v). All strains were able to grow at the concentrations tested, however, at higher vinasse concentrations, growth inhibition and/or higher heterotrophic contaminants proliferation was observed. In vinasse diluted in ultrapure water, none of them were able to grow. Two cyanobacterial strains were selected for subsequent analysis due to rapid growth (Planktothrix mougeotii CMAA1564) and favorable fatty acid profile for biodiesel production (Amazoninema brasiliense CMAA1602, a new genus). Then, these strains had their gowth investigated in the media BG11, BG11+1% and BG11+2,5% of vinasse using the gravimetric (dry biomass) and spectrophotometric (optical density-OD680nm e OD750nm) methods, for growth phases identification. The highest lipid and biomass productivities were observed in the biomass collected in the log phase in medium supplemented with 1% of vinasse, wtith the highest values observed for the P. mougeotii CMAA1564 (3,18 e 35,87 mg L-1 dia-1 , respectively). The fatty acid profile of the lipid fraction showed the predominance of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the oils of biomass grown in vinasse medium, with palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic and alpha-linolenic acids being the majority. From the fatty acid composition of the oils, it was possible to estimate eleven quality parameters of the biodiesel derived from these lipid feedstocks. Most of the properties evaluated werein accordance with the biodiesel quality specification estabilished in the national and international legislation, except for the kinematic viscosity that presented lower values. These results are promising given the opportunity for exploiting the underestimated cyanobacteria diversity for biotechnological purposes. This research shows the feasibility of using the lipid content of these organisms as an alternative lipid feedstock for biodiesel production.