Carbon dioxide fixation by Chlorella kessleri, C. vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus and Spirulina sp. cultivated in flasks and vertical tubular photobioreactors

Abstract

CO2 at different concentrations were added to cultures of the eukaryotic microalgae, Chlorella kessleri, C. vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus, and the prokaryotic cyanobacterium, Spirulina sp., growing in flasks and in a photobioreactor. In each case, the best kinetics and carbon fixation rate were with a vertical tubular photobioreactor. Overall, Spirulina sp. had the highest rates. Spirulina sp., Sc. obliquus and C. vulgaris could grow with up to 18% CO2. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.