Bioprocessing of a New Strain of Hydrocarbon-Producing Alga

Microalgae are organisms rich in potential biofuel substrates such as lipids and triacylglycerols (TAGs). These algae are also capable of biosynthesizing small hydrocarbons, which can be used as liquid fuels. These liquid fuels can be used with more versatility and were made through a more direct approach than TAGs. However, certain TAGs from microalgae biomass can be used as substrates for different kinds of liquid fuels.

The  isolation, identification and processing Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011, a strain of hydrocarbon-producing alga, was studied and evaluated by the researchers from Arkansas State University. The S. bacillaris strain siva2011 was scaled-up in an 8 L bioreactor with 0.2% CO₂ and produced a significant amount of biomass at 3.79 g/L dry weight on 6 days in the bioreactor. It also produced three kinds of hydrocarbons. 

The TAGs and hydrocarbons produced by this promising, new, oil-rich microalga S. bacillaris strain siva2011, can be potential candidates as substrates for jet fuel or biodiesel.