Effects of Marine Algal Proximate Composition on Methane Yields

Bird, K.T; Chynoweth, D.P dan Jerger, D.E. 2005. Effects of Marine Algal Proximate Composition on Methane Yields. Journal of Applied Phycology, 2 (3): pp 207-213.

Abstract The suitability of differentGracilaria spp. and twoSargassum species for bioconversion to methane was determined through bioassays of methane yield.Gracilaria species and strains were excellent feedstocks for high methane yields, ranging from 0.28 to 0.40 m3 kg–1 volatile solids added. These yields ranged from 58 to 95% of theoretical stoichiometric yields.

Methane yields were highly correlated with acid soluble carbohydrate components of theGracilaria spp. BothSargassum fluitans andS. pteropleuron were poor feedstocks, with methane yields ranging from 0.12 to 0.19 m3 kg–1 volatile solids added, 27 to 46% of theoretical stoichiometric yields, respectively. The various tissue types of theseSargassum species were also poor feedstocks for anaerobic digestion to methane. While there is no clear explanation for the low methane yields, the twoSargassum spp. appear to contain a high proportion of an insoluble, non-extractable component which may not be available as a substrate for bioconversion to methane.
Key words bioconversion - Gracilaria - Sargassum - biomass - methane