Utilization of Ulva lactuca (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) for biofuel production and nutrient removal of seawater

• Grant number: 12/19844-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Pio Colepicolo Neto
• Grantee: Aline Paternostro Martins
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Algae are important autotrophic components in many estuarine and coastal ecosystems, playing an important role in energy transformations and nutrient cycling in these environments. These organisms produce numerous metabolites of interest to industry, such as carbohydrates , which can be used as a source of bioethanol. The use of algal biomass as an alternative energy source is recommended, because it is a renewable resource and CO2 emission into the atmosphere is neutral since part of the carbon released by fuel burning is fixed by photosynthesis. Furthermore, there is no need for the use of arable land for cultivation. Within this context, the macroalgae have been seen as potential alternative sources for bioethanol production, due to its high productivity, high content of polysaccharides and lignin absence. Besides these features, the possibility of cultivation in the sea and integrated cultivation adds further value to this group of organisms. Thus, the assessment of the effects of some environmental factors using the technique of factorial design on macroalgae Ulva lactuca Linnaeus cultivated in the laboratory will provide information that will assist in the implementation of its cultivation on larger scales and in use for many different purposes. Furthermore, the realization of growing in tanks integrated with fish will provide the sustainable use of marine resources of the country, being relevant to the country's economic development. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

MARTINS, ALINE P.; YOKOYA, NAIR S.; COLEPICOLO, PIO. Biochemical Modulation by Carbon and Nitrogen Addition in Cultures of Dictyota menstrualis (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) to Generate Oil-based Bioproducts. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY, v. 18, n. 3, p. 314-326, JUN 2016. (12/19844-1, 10/50193-1)

MARTINS, ALINE P.; ZAMBOTTI-VILLELA, LEONARDO; YOKOYA, NAIR S.; COLEPICOLO, PIO. Biotechnological potential of benthic marine algae collected along the Brazilian coast. ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS, v. 33, p. 316-327, JUL 2018. (10/50193-1, 12/19844-1)