Strategies for microalgae biomass saccharification targeting bioethanol 3G production

• Grant number: 18/20787-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rosana Goldbeck Coelho
• Grantee: Maria Augusta de Carvalho Silvello
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/20630-4 - Biorefinery development integrated to a bioethanol sugar cane plant with zero CO2 emission: routes to convert renewable resources to bio-products and bio-electricity, AP.TEM

Abstract

The development of renewable energy sources has been boosted due to the necessity of fossil fuels replacement with lower environmental impacts sustainable alternatives. Bioethanol meets these demands and the use of alternative raw materials has motivated research in the field, among which the microalgae stand out. Microalgae are eukaryotic microorganisms considered to be the third-generation (3G) of feedstocks for biofuels production due to its higher rate of growth and CO2 fixation in relation to other raw materials generations and high theoretical productivities of lipids and carbohydrates. Microalgae can have its biochemical composition manipulated for carbohydrates accumulation owing to the flexibility of its metabolism. Thus, the de-structuring of the microalgal biomass can be accomplished by different approaches (physical, physicochemical or enzymatic hydrolysis) aiming fermentable sugars for the subsequent stage of ethanol fermentation. Within this context, the goal of the present work is to study the carbohydrate profile present in the biomass of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Desmodesmus brasiliensis aiming the production of bioethanol 3G as part of the thematic project (FAPESP-2015/20630-4). In addition to the manipulation of growing conditions, in order to increase carbohydrate concentration, physical, physico-chemical and enzymatic methods will be used as strategies for the release of sugars. Finally, the construction of a thermotolerant industrial yeast expressing cellulases and amylases is proposed for the consolidation of the microalgal biomass conversion bioprocess to ethanol. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(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)

SILVELLO, MARIA AUGUSTA DE CARVALHO; GONCALVES, IGOR SEVERO; AZAMBUJA, SUELLEN PATRICIA HELD; COSTA, SHARLENE SILVA; SILVA, PEDRO GARCIA PEREIRA; SANTOS, LUCIELEN OLIVEIRA; GOLDBECK, ROSANA. Microalgae-based carbohydrates: A green innovative source of bioenergy. Bioresource Technology, v. 344, n. B, JAN 2022. (18/20787-9, 15/20630-4)

SILVELLO, MARIA AUGUSTA DE CARVALHO; GASPAROTTO, GIOVANNA ALVES; FERREIRA, GABRIELA F.; SANTOS, LUCIELEN OLIVEIRA; FREGOLENTE, LEONARDO V.; GOLDBECK, ROSANA. Nutrient Optimization Strategy to Increase the Carbohydrate Content of Chlorella vulgaris and Evaluation of Hydrolysis and Fermentation Performance. BioEnergy Research, v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-06. (19/08542-3, 18/20787-9, 15/20630-4)

BARBOSA, FERNANDO CESAR; SILVELLO, MARIA AUGUSTA; GOLDBECK, ROSANA. Cellulase and oxidative enzymes: new approaches, challenges and perspectives on cellulose degradation for bioethanol production. Biotechnology Letters, v. 42, n. 6, p. 875-884, JUN 2020. (18/20787-9, 19/08542-3, 17/16159-0)

SILVELLO, MARIA AUGUSTA DE CARVALHO; CAMARGO, ALINE FRUMI; SCAPINI, THAMARYS; PAUDEL, SHUKRA RAJ; TREICHEL, HELEN; GOLDBECK, ROSANA. Enzymatic Hydrolysis Intensification of Lignocellulolytic Enzymes Through Ultrasonic Treatment. BioEnergy Research, SEP 2021. (19/08542-3, 15/20630-4, 18/20787-9)