1 Christina Ahting Biomedical Engineering University of Cincinnati

1 Christina Ahting, Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati Rachel Johnstone, Chemical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology FM: Dr. Joo-Youp Lee, University of Cincinnati GRA: Mr. Jinsoo Kim, University of Cincinnati Maximizing Lipids Productivity of Microalgae for Biofuels Production and Carbon Recycle June 29, 2012 SUE REU SUMMER 2012

2 Project Goal and Objectives Goal: To use heterotrophic growth of microalgae to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater and to maximize lipid productivity for use in biofuels. Objectives: 1. To study the removal rates of nitrogen and phosphorus 2. To create a growth model 3. To extract lipids from the microalgae

3 Project Research Tasks ü Literature Research q ü Learning how to operate lab equipment q q q q Gather background information from other studies involving microalgae growth Autoclaving culture mediums Cell Density: UV Spectrophotometer Lipid analysis: FL Spectrophotometer Dissolved inorganic carbon: Titration method Nitrogen: Ammonia probe Phosphorous: UV spectrophotometer Lipid extraction technique: Gravimetric method Conducting growth kinetic study of Chlorella protothecoides q Heterotrophic growth to remove nitrogen and phosphorous

4 Project Research Tasks (cont. ) Compiling information, come to conclusions q Analyze data Prepare Deliverables: 1. Technical Paper 2. Poster 3. Power. Point Presentation 4. Project Summary for NSF Christina doing literature research in the library

5 Project Time Schedule Task/Week Equipment Training/ Practice Literature Research Growth Kinetics Study Lipid analysis Data Analysis Deliverables 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

6 Methods Green Algae Merkle, Peter B. , "Recovery of Biodiesel Precursors from Heterotrophic Microalga Chlorella protothecoides" (2009). US Department of Energy Publications. Paper 92. Algae autotrophic cultivation set-up

7 Cell Density UV Spectrophotometer Cuvette

8 Phosphorus Orthophosphate Phos. Ver® 3 Credit: Hach. com

9 Nitrogen Ammonium ion Add Na. OH to convert to ammonia Ammonia Probe Calibration Curve 3, 00 Log(N mg/L) 2, 50 2, 00 R 2 = 1 1, 50 1, 00 0, 50 0, 00 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 Intensity (m. V) 20 40 60

10 Dissolved Inorganic Carbon For autotrophic growth Titration with HCl to determine TIC

11 Lipid Content Nile red method FL Spectroscopy 450 400 350 Intensity 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 400 450 500 550 600 Wavelength (nm) 650 700 750