LIPIDS OF INTEREST FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION OBTAINED FROM DIATOM STRAINS WITH PRISTINE AND HIGLY POLLUTED ORIGINS

LUZ ETCHEVERRY-BONEO; CRISTIAN ISHIGURO; GEORGINA WIGDOROVITZ; NICOLAS POURTALE; JUDITH LACAVA; VALENTINA SOL VELA; OLIVELLI, MELISA S.

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management

Inderscience Publishers Ltd.

Año: 2021

1478-9876

Diatoms are able to enhance their lipids production when subjected to stress factors as pollutants. In this study, diatoms were isolated from two sampling sites: a pristine site and a highly polluted river. This work aims to assess differences in biodiversity of diatoms samples and to isolate strains from different environments to compare the amount and characteristics of lipids with potential in enhanced biodiesel production. Biodiversity was compared qualitatively; strains were isolated and assessed for lipids production and profile; and frustules after lipids extraction were studied by SEM and BET. Five genus were isolated and cultured for lipids production: Nitzschia sp., Frustulia sp. and Diadesmis sp from Río Luján; and Pinnularia sp. and Cyclotella sp. from Ribera Norte respectively. Isolated strains presented yields near 50% for lipids production, being Nitzschia sp. the strain with the highest amount of neutral lipids (68%). TAG profiles were abundant in medium-chain fatty acids. Frustules suffered ruptures in their structure, increasing their BET surface. This study represents a novel approach, as diatoms from different environments are isolated and compared for biodiesel production; as well as a possible reuse of the frustules residues is postulated.