Biomass production and biochemical composition of Chlorella vulgaris grown in Net-House Photobioreactor (NHPBR) using sugarcane press mud waste

Abstract

The present Net-House Photobioreactor (NHPBR), which has a final capacity of 500 liters, was developed for the purpose of cultivating the Chlorella vulgaris by employing vinasse waste as a source of organic carbon and certain minerals in an effort to lower the cost of production. The growth unit consisted of one reservoir tank carrying 4 Plexi-glass ponds. For each plate, growth and biochemical composition were routinely evaluated to assess the precipitation and growth. Our data revealed no differences in the biomass and chemical constituents in the running algal slurry. However, differences were observed in the precipitated algal biomass for each plate, with the reservoir (CR) and the lower plate (P1) forming the greatest precipitation in terms of dry weight and mat thickness, respectively. The biochemical composition of the harvested biomass was 51.0% crude protein, 13.4% total carbohydrates, 12.1% lipids, and 7.2% ash.