Holostic approch of Sargassum valorisation

• Grant number: 19/21007-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: May 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Construction Industry
• Agreement: ANR
• Principal Investigator: Joao Adriano Rossignolo
• Grantee: Joao Adriano Rossignolo
• Principal researcher abroad: Marie-Ange ARSENE
• Institution abroad: Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG), France
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Afonso José Felicio Peres Duran ; Camila Cassola Assunção ; Christian Gauss ; Cristiane Bueno ; Eliria Maria de Jesus Agnolon Pallone ; Fernando Gustavo Tonin ; Gabriela Pitolli Lyra ; Holmer Savastano Junior ; João Lucas Silva do Nascimento ; Juliano Fiorelli ; Letícia Missiatto Gavioli ; Maria Júlia Bassan de Moraes

Abstract

This project aims to study the brown algae Sargassum spp. which is landing in the Caribbean region and northeast of Brazil in order to better manage the biofouling by the algae and develop methods for valorization of the biomass. Sargassum are brown algae, originally found in the Sargasso Sea, located in the Gulf of Mexico. The flow of sargassum is becoming a serious environmental problem all over the Caribbean islands. In Guadeloupe alone, around 80000 tons of seaweed are stranded during the season. Similar situation is seen around the entire Caribbean region. Since the appearance of the first waves of Sargassum algae, several methods have been put in place concerning their collection in order to keep the beaches clean. Recovery processes are highly sought because 90% of the collected algae are currently stored without recovery. The lack of research initiatives necessitates a more in-depth exploration of Sargassum algae chemistry, targeted towards innovative applications and their development. Sargassum algae control solutions must therefore meet diverse needs including environmental, health and economic purposes. The current proposal comprises two steps including optimization of the Sargassum collection methods and processing and utilization of the biomass for valorization to produce value added products for multiple uses. These two steps will be supported by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as an environmental strategy in decision-making. The improved collection methods will enable efficient harvest of the biomass before they reach shores. The methods of valorization include, development of phytostimulants for agriculture, use as component of building materials, preparation of filtering membrane, production of nutraceutical substances, anticorrosive or dye products and value-composts. The developed technologies will be subsequently available for pilot scale production and future licensing for commercialization. It is expected that the successful completion of the research project will yield the meaningful ways to address the Sargassum problem and effective means for utilizing biomass. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BUENO, CRISTIANE; ROSSIGNOLO, JOAO ADRIANO; GAVIOLI, LETICIA MISSIATTO; SPOSITO, CAMILA CASSOLA ASSUNCAO; TONIN, FERNANDO GUSTAVO; VERAS, MARIANA MATERA; DE MORAES, MARIA JULIA BASSAN; LYRA, GABRIELA PITOLLI. Life Cycle Assessment Applied to End-of-Life Scenarios of Sargassum spp. for Application in Civil Construction. SUSTAINABILITY, v. 15, n. 7, p. 23-pg., 2023-04-01. (19/21007-0)

ROSSIGNOLO, JOAO ADRIANO; DURAN, AFONSO JOSE FELICIO PERES; BUENO, CRISTIANE; FILHO, JOSE EDUARDO MARTINELLI; SAVASTANO, HOLMER, JR.; TONIN, FERNANDO GUSTAVO. Algae application in civil construction: A review with focus on the potential uses of the pelagic Sargassum spp. biomass. Journal of Environmental Management, v. 303, p. 14-pg., 2022-02-01. (19/21007-0)

LYRA, GABRIELA PITOLLI; COLOMBO, ANA LETICIA; DURAN, AFONSO JOSE FELICIO PERES; PARENTE, IGOR MACHADO DA SILVA; BUENO, CRISTIANE; ROSSIGNOLO, JOAO ADRIANO. The Use of Sargassum spp. Ashes Like a Raw Material for Mortar Production: Composite Performance and Environmental Outlook. MATERIALS, v. 17, n. 8, p. 20-pg., 2024-04-01. (19/21007-0)

PARENTE, IGOR MACHADO DA SILVA; LYRA, GABRIELA PITOLLI; BUENO, CRISTIANE; TONIN, FERNANDO GUSTAVO; ROSSIGNOLO, JOAO ADRIANO. Holistic evaluation of ceramic clay properties with Sargassum spp. ash replacement. CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS, v. 435, p. 11-pg., 2024-05-29. (19/21007-0)

DURAN, AFONSO JOSE FELICIO PERES; LYRA, GABRIELA PITOLLI; CAMPOS FILHO, LUIZ EDUARDO; BUENO, CRISTIANE; ROSSIGNOLO, JOAO ADRIANO; ALVES-LIMA, CICERO; FIORELLI, JULIANO. The Use of Sargasso Seaweed as Lignocellulosic Material for Particleboards: Technical Viability and Life Cycle Assessment. BUILDINGS, v. 14, n. 5, p. 18-pg., 2024-05-01. (19/21007-0)

AFONSO JOSÉ FELÍCIO PERES DURAN; WANLEY EDUARDO LOPES JÚNIOR; MARIANA PAVESI; JULIANO FIORELLI. Avaliação de painéis de média densidade de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Ciênc. Florest., v. 33, n. 3, 2023-10-20. (19/21007-0)