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Potential evaluation of biogas production through the exploitation of naturally growing freshwater macroalgae Spirogyra varians

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Abstract

Algae are a great choice for biofuel production because they are readily available and easy to grow. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of algal biomass could provide energy and minimize waste in a green and sustainable biorefinery. AD was used to assess macroalgal biomass as a biomethane source. Spirogyra’s biotechnological and industrial applications have recently gained the attention of researchers and used macroalgae as a sustainable biomass source for biogas, or “third-generation biofuel.” It was turned into biogas in slow-running freshwater streams. The prospect of using Spirogyra varians, macroalgae, for biogas production was examined. S. varians’ biochemical and nutritional composition reveals a significant amount of pigments, dietary protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. Furthermore, with S. varians biomass as a mono-substrate for biogas production, the most significant methane yield of 64.76% was achieved without any pretreatment; it was enhanced to 69.4% after pretreatment. As a result, S. varians was identified as a viable energy crop for biogas production due to its rapid growth, greater biomass yield, and rich nutritional components and organic matter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand

    Rameshprabu Ramaraj & Natthawud Dussadee

  2. Banphai School, Khon Kaen, 40110, Thailand

    Pattranan Junluthin

  3. Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand

    Yuwalee Unpaprom

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  1. Rameshprabu Ramaraj
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  2. Pattranan Junluthin
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  3. Natthawud Dussadee
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  4. Yuwalee Unpaprom
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Correspondence to Yuwalee Unpaprom.

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Ramaraj, R., Junluthin, P., Dussadee, N. et al. Potential evaluation of biogas production through the exploitation of naturally growing freshwater macroalgae Spirogyra varians. Environ Dev Sustain (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02051-2

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