The torrefaction of Malaysian marine biomass specie called Ulva intestinalis was studied using thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The torrefaction temperature and residence time were varied in the ...range of 200 - 300 °C and 30 - 90 minutes, respectively. The chemical functional groups in the torrefied U. intestinalis were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). TGA results showed that the torrefaction temperature has a greater influence on the weight loss and changes in the U. intestinalis's properties after the torrefaction as compared to the torrefaction time. The increased in fixed carbon (FC), and carbon (C) content and decreased in volatile matter (VM), moisture content (MC) and oxygen (O) with the severity of torrefaction reflects the improvement of calorific values for the torrefied U. intestinalis. Analysis of the FTIR showed that the torrefaction decreased the spectra intensity of the main functional groups (O-H, C=C, C-O and C-H) as a consequence of structural alteration within the biomass. The present findings may provide useful information for the development of industrial torrefaction processes to turn U. intestinalis into a carbon enrichment solid fuel.
The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of applying macroalgae biomass originating from Bay of Puck, Poland, as a substrate in the methane fermentation process and to verify the ...impact of taxonomic structure and other physicochemical traits of the analyzed biomass on the technological effectiveness of the fermentation process. The efficiency of methane fermentation was determined using respirometric kits. In all periods of the vegetative season, the structure of macrophytobenthos was predominated by brown algae of the family Ectocarpaceae, namely Pilayella litoralis and Ectocarpus sp. The production of biogas fitted within a narrow range of 266.53 ± 16.43 cm
3
/g o.d.m. during fermentation of algae harvested in September and 285.71 ± 11.35 cm
3
/g o.d.m. in that from August. The percentage content of methane in biogas ranged from 57.28 ± 1.75% to 59.22 ± 2.84%. Regardless of macroalgae biomass harvest period, the postfermented sludge was characterized by similar values of the analyzed parameters.
Natural dyes represent an emerging trend in the textile industry and eco-fashion due to the increasing awareness of the sustainability concept, which must be applied to the surrounding environment. ...In the light of the stated problem, the search for alternative sources of dyes, revealed the new, eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-carcinogenic and sustainable colorant matter, the algal biomass. In the present work, the suitability and viability of printing cotton fabrics with pigments obtained from the red macroalgae Gracilaria sp., has been investigated. For this aim, phycoerythrin, the red pigment, was extracted from fresh algal biomass, and used in a laboratory pigment-printing process, employing a natural and synthetic printing paste, for process efficiency comparison. The color values and the rubbing and laundering fastness of the printed substrates were evaluated. Results show that a light pink color can be obtained when applying both tested printing processes, and in terms of color fastness, both printing pastes show good behavior. In conclusion, the algal pigments show a high printing capacity on cotton substrates, either when employing the synthetic conventional paste and; moreover, when applying the more sustainable and eco-friendly natural paste.
Lectins or carbohydrate-binding proteins, are widely distributed in nature, including in marine algae. It may have been considered that binding specificity of lectins to some carbohydrates provokes ...to produce many unique biological activities, including cell agglutination, mitogenic activity, and antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of crude lectins from red macroalgae collected from the southern coast of Java Island, Gunung Kidul Regency, Yogyakarta against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells. In vitro MTT assay was used in this study. The results showed that less than 50% of MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells growth were inhibited by the crude lectins from five species of red macro algae used in this study. The highest inhibition ability shown in the red alga A. nana was able to kill 47.68% of HeLa cervical cancer cells.
Biodiesel is an alternative and safe fuel to replace conventional petroleum diesel. With high-lubricity and clean-burning ability the biodiesel can be a better fuel component for use in existing ...diesel engines without any modifications. The aim of this Research was to study the potential use of Macro algae oil, Micro algae oil, Rice Bran oil methyl ester as a substitute for diesel fuel in diesel engine. B10 and B20 blends of these three types of fuels are prepared by transesterification process. The blends on volume basis were used to test them in a four stroke single cylinder diesel engine to study the performance and emission characteristics of these fuels and compared with neat diesel fuel. Also, the property testing of these biofuels were carried out. The biodiesel blends in this study substantially reduces the emission of unburnt hydro carbons and smoke opacity and increases the emission of NOx emission in exhaust gases. These biodiesel blends were consumed more by the engine during testing than Diesel and the brake thermal efficiency and volumetric efficiency for the blends was identical with the Diesel.
The surface chemistry of aquatic organisms determines their biotic interactions. Metabolites in the spatially limited laminar boundary layer mediate processes, such as antifouling, allelopathy and ...chemical defense against herbivores. However, very few methods are available for the investigation of such surface metabolites. An approach is described in which surfaces are extracted by means of C18 solid phase material. By powdering wet algal surfaces with this material, organic compounds are adsorbed and can be easily recovered for subsequent liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) investigations. The method is robust, picks up metabolites of a broad polarity range and is easy to handle. It is more universal compared to established solvent dipping protocols and it does not cause damage to the test organisms. A protocol is introduced for the macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus, Caulerpa taxifolia and Gracilaria vermiculophylla, but it can be easily transferred to other aquatic organisms.
Biofuel and biomass from marine macroalgae waste Maceiras, Rocio; Cancela, Ángeles; Sánchez, Ángel ...
Energy sources. Part A, Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects,
01/2016, Letnik:
38, Številka:
9
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Nowadays, biofuel production of new raw materials has gained renewed interest. For that reason, the objective of this work is to use marine macroalgae for biodiesel and biomass production. The ...obtained results show that macroalgae are a suitable energy source for biodiesel production by direct transesterification, avoiding the previous step of oil extraction. It is an effective process because 95% of the oil is extracted. To analyze the optimum reaction conditions, the reaction was carried out at different amounts of methanol, catalyst concentrations, reaction temperatures, and reaction times. In addition, the macroalgae residue after transesterification was analyzed and it is suitable as fuel in biomass boilers.
A survey of the epiphytic leaves of Posidonia oceanica was conducted along a depth transect at both the control station Attaya in the Kerkennah Islands and the disturbed Mahres station on the Sfax ...coast (Tunisia). Samples were collected by scuba divers at depths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 m in July 2008. We evaluated whether the pattern of spatial variability of the macroepiphyte assemblages of leaves of Posidonia oceanica differed in relation to anthropogenic interference. The results indicate that the decrease in shoot density and leaf length according to depth was low at Mahres. The biomass of epiphytic leaves and the percentage cover of epiphytic assemblages decreased with depth for both stations and heavily at Mahres, this decline being related to anthropogenic disturbance. This study shows that the highest values of epifauna and epiflora were detected at the disturbed station Mahres. Macroalgae assemblages decreased with depth at both stations and were dominated by Rhodophyta, whereas the percentage cover of the epifauna leaf that decreases according to depth was dominated by Hydrozoa and Bryozoa. Changes in epiphyte assemblages, epiphytic biomass, percentage cover, and species richness in proportion to Heterokontophyta, Rhodophyta, Cyanobacteria, Hydrozoa, Porifera, and Tunicata between the two stations constitute promising tools for detecting environmental disturbance.
The Andaman Islands characterize one of the relatively unexplored coral reef zones of the Indian subcontinent. A few benthic biodiversity studies have been carried out to date, but several coral and ...algal species still remain to be evaluated in terms of their abundance, vigour and conservation priority. In absence of a comprehensive, reliable dataset, inter-relationships between anthropogenic impacts and climate alterations with the coral reefs cannot be assessed authentically. This paper addresses the coupled themes of biodiversity and reef management in the Andaman Islands by examining the percentage cover of corals and benthic algae from shallow-water ecosystems across the coasts of Havelock, Neil, Ross, Jolly Buoy Islands and Chidiyatapu beach proximal to Port Blair. Four major reef types were observed: coral-dominated, algae-dominated, neutral setting and algae overgrowing dead reefs. Jolly Buoy Island had the highest percentage cover of scleractinian corals and crustose coralline algae. Turf algae were most abundant at the Ross Island, while other macroalgae showed highest abundance at Chidiyatapu. Overall species diversity values for corals and algae were highest at the Jolly Buoy and Chidiyatapu, respectively. Given that corals and algae are critical reef components, management paradigms must consider the abundance and frequency of both these biogenic entities in the seascape. The needs, expectations and objectives of the people dependent on coral reef ecosystems also need to be considered. Long-term monitoring is imperative in understanding the natural typology of reefs and managing the possible algal encroachments. Refined management efforts that include greater thrust on development of marine protected areas and reserves; establishment of connectivity between various coral ecosystems of the region; control of invasive algae; and increasing awareness among the local people as well as tourists will ensure continued support of ecosystem to maintain healthy reefs. Collectively, the results are used to promote some strategies to conserve the Andaman coral reefs and cope with the detrimental anthropogenic and climate changes in these coastal habitats.
Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising route for producing bio-crude from various biomass feedstocks. However, high content of inorganic constituents in biomass like macroalgae
Laminaria ...digitata
and spent mushroom compost (SMC) affect the conversion process and the resulting fuel products. This research studied the effects of different acid leaching treatments on such feedstocks, subsequent HTL, and bio-crude properties. Leaching treatments were performed using five different agents: deionized water, acetic acid, citric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid. Performance of leaching was evaluated by analyzing both leached biomass and HTL products by elemental analysis, ash content, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Catalytic and non-catalytic HTL of both feedstocks before and after treatment were performed in a 10-mL microreactor at 400 °C with a holding time of 15 min and pressures of 27–30 MPa. For macroalgae, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid were found the most effective in reducing the ash content from 30.42 to 20.45 and 20.87%, respectively, followed by acetic and citric acid treatment that could reduce the ash content to 21.5 and 22.15%, respectively. Similarly for SMC, citric acid and acetic acid were found the most effective in reducing the ash content from 50.34 to 37.04 and 39.94%, respectively. Citric acid did not show significant leaching of organic components such as carbohydrates and proteins and represented a less toxic and hazardous option for the leaching. The results from HTL of untreated and citric acid-treated biomass showed that the acid leaching resulted in an increase in bio-crude yields from 20.7 to 29.2% (dry ash-free basis) for macroalgae and from 22.9 to 25.1% for SMC.
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