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Enhancing biodiesel production in Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105: exploring photo-, hetero-, and mixotrophic cultivation for biomass, lipid, and fuel properties

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Abstract

Cyanobacteria offer a promising alternative to conventional petro-diesel, presenting a potential pathway toward a cleaner environment. Twenty-six heterocystous cyanobacterial strains were tested in our previous study; the high lipid-yielding strain Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105 (hereafter Anabaena 105) evidenced appropriateness for biodiesel production was selected to uplift biomass and lipid production. The current investigation examines the cultivation of the high lipid-yielding strain Anabaena 105 under three different modes: photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic. The study delves into various aspects including biomass production, lipid yield, pigment, biomolecules, and fuel quality. Exogenous addition of glucose in media increased biomass productivity by 8.6-fold and 5.6-fold in mixotrophic compared to photoautotrophic and heterotrophic modes, respectively. The maximum lipid productivity of 31.64 ± 0.52 (mg/L/day) and lipid content of 39.21± 0.11 (% dwt) at 6 (g L−1) glucose concentration was attained in mixotrophic mode. The highest palmitic acid (59.88–76.25%) concentration was obtained in a mixotrophic mode suitable for biodiesel production. Under heterotrophic conditions, the highest total protein content was observed, indicating significant potential for the utilization of cyanobacteria in food and feed applications. Biodiesel exhibits suitable fuel properties, including high cetane numbers, low unsaturation, and excellent lubricity, contributing to efficient engine performance and reduced emissions. To the best of current knowledge, this study represents the first validated report demonstrating that mixotrophic cultivation enhanced the lipid content and fuel quality of Anabaena 105. This study highlights that utilizing cost-effective organic carbon sources such as glucose in mixotrophic cultivation has the potential to decrease the overall production costs of biodiesel, thus enhancing its economic viability and competitiveness compared to conventional diesel fuel.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful for the funding provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. A.M.P. Anahas acknowledges the Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme (MANF, F1-17.1/2010/MANF-CHR-TAM-2530) for the fellowship. For GC analysis, we thank Dr. Ajai Kumar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility (AIRF). BDU is grateful for the CLSM facilities provided by the DST-PURSE program. We are grateful for the facility provided by the DST-FIST program (Ref. No. SR/FIST/LSI-013/2012 dated13.08.2012) to the Department of Microbiology and RUSA 2.0 – Biological Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024. GM acknowledges DBT (BT/PR29901/PBD/26/694/2018 dt. 10.03.21) for funding.

Funding

Anahas received funding from the UGC-Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme (MANF, F1-17.1/2010/MANF-CHR-TAM-2530) Govt. of India. Muralitharan received funding from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) (BT/PR29901/PBD/26/694/2018 dt. 10.03.21) Govt. of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India

    Antonyraj Matharasi Perianaika Anahas

  2. Department of Microbiology, Centre of Excellence in Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Palkalaiperur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India

    Nainangu Prasannabalaji & Gangatharan Muralitharan

  3. PG & Research Department of Microbiology, Sri Sankara Arts and Science College, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, 631561, India

    Nainangu Prasannabalaji

  4. National Repository for Microalgae and Cyanobacteria – Marine (NRMC-M), Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India

    Gangatharan Muralitharan

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  1. Antonyraj Matharasi Perianaika Anahas
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  2. Nainangu Prasannabalaji
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Contributions

Anahas Perianaika Matharasi Antonyraj: data curation, writing—original draft preparation, conceptualization, methodology, visualization; Prasannabalaji Nainangu: writing—reviewing and editing. Gangatharan Muralitharan: supervision, investigation, and resources.

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Correspondence to Gangatharan Muralitharan.

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Highlights

•High biomass and lipid productivity were obtained under mixotrophic conditions.

•Fatty acid compositions of Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105 are appropriate for biodiesel production.

•Techno-economic analysis of using glucose for biomass production was estimated.

•Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105 is a potential substrate for biodiesel production at pilot-scale.

Supplementary information

ESM 1

Fig. S1. Infrared spectra for cyanobacterial lipid from Anabaena 105 grown under three different modes of cultivation (a) photoautotrophic (b) heterotrophic (c) mixotrophic conditions. (DOCX 302 kb)

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Anahas, A.M.P., Prasannabalaji, N. & Muralitharan, G. Enhancing biodiesel production in Anabaena sphaerica MBDU 105: exploring photo-, hetero-, and mixotrophic cultivation for biomass, lipid, and fuel properties. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05640-z

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