Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Evaluation of the Potential of Palm Oil Mill Effluent as a Growth Media for Chlorella vulgaris and Its Effect on Its Lipid Production
Mariadaniela Bolaños Madriz, Patricio E. Paz Castillo

Abstract
Dependency on fossil fuels has generated an interest in searching for alternatives to supply its demand and reduce the environmental impact. Since the seventies, renewable sources of energy have been developed, contributing to the net production of energy. Of the sources of renewable energy with high potential is the generation of third generation biofuels from algae. Chlorella vulgaris has the potential to produce high amounts of lipids with an accelerated growth rate in residual waters such as palm oil meal effluent (POME). The objective of this study was the evaluation of 25%, 50% and 75% POME as growth media forChlorella vulgaris. The specific growth μ(d-1) was determined as well as extraction percentage, fatty acid profile and productivity. Chlorella vulgaris in 25% POME presented the best results, with an extraction percentage of 12.9%, a lipid production of 55.05 mg/L/d and a predominance of oleic acid in its lipid profile (40.95%).

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