Carbohydrate profile characterization of a Scotiellopsis sp. strain isolated from residual effluent

• Grant number: 15/02916-8
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Sônia Maria Flores Gianesella
• Grantee: Octávio Simeão Bernardes Coelho de Oliveira
• Supervisor abroad: Nídia de Sá Caetano
• Home Institution: Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : Universidade do Porto (UP), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/01828-2 - Sustainable and integrated algae biofuels production using wastewater sewage treatment systems for biomass growth, BP.DR

Abstract

During the course of the first doctorate year, were isolated ten strains of microalgae from wastewater. In the FAPESP/BEPE 2014/05195-7 process were obtained the total carbohydrates, and dry biomass productivity of three strains Chlorella sp., Scotiellopsis sp., and Desmodesmus sp.. The bioenergy potential for bioethanol production was high to all the strains, mainly for Scotiellopsis sp., with 36,6% of total sugars, and bioethanol productivity of 18,617 Lhydrated.bioethanol/ha.year, taking into account an underestimated productivity in dry biomass of 0, 0362gsugars/L.day. For comparison, the theoretical productivity of sugarcane bioethanol is 7,000 Lbioethanol/ha.year. Sugars extracts of this strain were analyzed by HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography), but the extraction was not efficient, since only 15% of the total sugars were extracted. From the identified peaks, the predominant sugars were hexoxes, easily converted into bioethanol. A peak with a high retention time, that corresponds to a dimer, was not identified, but is intended to be fully characterized. According to the PhD program is essential to characterize accurately the sugars, and so it is necessary to enhance the extraction method, for analysis in HPLC, in order to maximize the extracted energy content and justify the use of biomass in the bioethanol production. It is intended to extract the sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis, using hydrolases in conjunction, Cellulase and hemicellulase from Aspergillus niger, Glucanex 100g and Ultraflo L, and the hidrolase, Viscozyme L, varing the enzimes masses, and with a pre-acid / pre-alkali treatment. The candidate will use the HPLC independently, to promote cohesive scientific papers production. This project will last four months, starting on June 1st 2014, and will be conducted in LEPABE/FEUP and CIETI/DEQ/ISEP facilities, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Nidia de Sá Caetano and advisor of Professor Sônia Maria Flores Gianesella (USP). (AU)