Effects of harvesting Spirulina platensis biomass using coagulants and electrocoagulation–flotation on enzymatic hydrolysis

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2020-09, Vol.311, p.123526-123526, Article 123526
• Main Authors: de Souza Sossella, Francine, Rempel, Alan, Monroe Araújo Nunes, Janayna, Biolchi, Gabriele, Migliavaca, Regina, Farezin Antunes, Ana Carolina, Vieira Costa, Jorge Alberto, Hemkemeier, Marcelo, Colla, Luciane Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amylases; Microalgae; Physicochemical separation; Proteases; Saccharification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123526

[Display omitted] •Inorganic coagulants affected enzymatic processes lesser than the organic coagulants tested.•Hydrolysis efficiency of biomass obtained by coagulation methods is similar than obtained by centrifugation.•EFC treatment decreases the time for enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass.•The semi continuous mode of cultivation could affected the composition of biomass. This study aimed to assess the harvesting of Spirulina platensis using coagulants and electrocoagulation–flotation (ECF) and to evaluate its influence on enzymatic hydrolysis. Using nine chemical coagulants, we obtained a biomass harvesting efficiency of up to 99.5%. Using ECF, the harvesting efficiency at the aluminum and carbon electrode was 98%–99% and 33.8%–86.9%, respectively. Hydrolysis efficiency (HE) with amylases varied from 17% to 42%, and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) with proteases varied from 1.26% to 4.07%, compared with an HE of 31% and a DH of 3.57% in the centrifuged biomass. Compared to an HE of 61.75% for the centrifuged biomass, and HE of 99% and 85.46% was obtained for the biomass harvested using the aluminum and carbon electrodes. The HEs with the electrodes were better than those with the alternative methods and centrifugation; hence, with some optimization, the biomass harvested could be used for enzymatic hydrolysis.