Bioethanol production from Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 grown in unsterilized swine wastewater

The potential of microalgae to remove nutrients from swine wastewater and accumulate carbohydrates was examined. Chlorella sorokiniana AK-1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 were grown in 10% unsterilized swine wastewater and obtained a maximum carbohydrate content and productivity of 42.5% and 189 mg L-1d-1, respectively. At 25% wastewater and 25% BG-11 concentration, the maximum carbohydrate productivity and total nitrogen removal efficiency of C. vulgaris ESP-31 were improved to 266 mg L-1d-1 and 54.2%, respectively. Further modifications in light intensity, inoculum size, and harvesting period enhanced the biomass growth, carbohydrate concentration, and total nitrogen assimilation to 3.6 gL-1, 1.8 gL-1, and 92.2%, respectively. Ethanol fermentation of the biomass resulted in bioethanol yield and concentration of 84.2% and 4.2 gL-1, respectively. Overall, unsterilized swine wastewater was demonstrated as a cost-effective nutrient source for microalgal cultivation which further increases the economic feasibility and environmental compatibility of bioethanol production with concomitant swine wastewater treatment.