Title: Lipids of interest for biodiesel production obtained from diatom strains with pristine and highly polluted origins

Authors: Luz Etcheverry-Boneo; Cristian Ishiguro; Georgina Wigdorovitz; Nicolás Pourtale; Judith Lacava; Valentina S. Vela; Melisa S. Olivelli

Addresses: Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina ' Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – UADE, Lima 717, Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas – CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract: Diatoms are able to enhance their lipids production when subjected to stress factors as pollutants. In this study, diatoms were isolated from two sampling sites: a pristine site and a highly polluted river. This work aims to assess differences in biodiversity of diatoms samples and to isolate strains from different environments to compare the amount and characteristics of lipids with potential in enhanced biodiesel production. Biodiversity was compared qualitatively; strains were isolated and assessed for lipids production and profile; and frustules after lipids extraction were studied by SEM and BET. Five genus were isolated and cultured for lipids production: Nitzschia sp., Frustulia sp. and Diadesmis sp. from Río Luján; and Pinnularia sp. and Cyclotella sp. from Ribera Norte respectively. Isolated strains presented yields near 50% for lipids production, being Nitzschia sp. the strain with the highest amount of neutral lipids (68%). TAG profiles were abundant in medium-chain fatty acids. Frustules suffered ruptures in their structure, increasing their BET surface. This study represents a novel approach, as diatoms from different environments are isolated and compared for biodiesel production; as well as a possible reuse of the frustules residues is postulated.

Keywords: diatoms; biodiesel; fatty acid profiles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2021.117192

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2021 Vol.28 No.2, pp.195 - 208

Received: 14 May 2019
Accepted: 29 Aug 2019
Published online: 23 Aug 2021 *

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