Bioprospecting autochthonous marine microalgae strain from the Arabian Gulf Seawater, Kuwait for sustainable biofuel feedstocks 

DOI: 10.48129/kjs.11367

Authors

  • Bader Al-Hamar Dept. of Biological, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
  • Anandavalli. R Inbamani Dept. of Biological, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
  • Saad A. Komona Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
  • Mouffouk Fouzi Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
  • Radhouane Ben-Hamadou Dept. of Biological & Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
  • Hugo Pereira Centre of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
  • Ali Bumajdad Kuwait University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2978-0103

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48129/kjs.11367

Abstract

Bioprospection programs are the key to microalgal biotechnology for increasing the current portfolio of strains available for different biotechnological applications. In this work, nine fast-growing microalgae strains isolated from the Arabian/Persian Gulf coastal waters of Kuwait were evaluated for their potential as lipid protein feedstocks. The 18S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strains belong to 5 different genera, namely, Chlorella,Nannochloris, Scenedesmus, Tetraselmis, and Nannochloropsis. The total lipid content showed that the strains of Tetraselmissp. KUBS13G, and Tetraselmissp. KUBS16G strain displayed higher lipid content 29.56 % of dry weight; DW, and 26.13 % of DW, which were dominated by palmitic and oleic acids. Fuel properties calculated from the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by empirical equations were compared with EN14214 (European) and ASTM D6751−02 (American) biodiesel standards. Multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) method, Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), and Graphical Analysis for Interactive Assistance (GAIA) were used to select the suitable microalgae for biofuel feedstock based on their biodiesel fuel properties. Overall results suggest that the indigenous microalgae, Tetraselmis strain in particular Tetraselmis sp. KUBS37G, and Scenedesmussp. KUBS17R are the most suitable strain for biofuel feedstock, owing to the improved fuel properties, such as (0.88 g cm−3), low kinematic viscosity (3.1 mm2s−1), cetane number (54, 56), oxidation stability (14.6 h, 14.8 h), and cold filter plugging point (1.0°C, -6.1°C) respectively.

Author Biography

Ali Bumajdad, Kuwait University

Prof. Bumajdad specialty is nanomaterials and nanotechnology with focus on surfaces and colloidal properties of nanomaterials. In his research he targeted materials with environmental, renewable energy, sensors, and green chemistry applications (e.g. pure and doped CeO2, TiO2and ZnO, Ag, graphene and carbon nanotube), magnetic and drug delivery applications (Fe2O3), and microbial and cancer applications (Au & Ag). He was well trained on using neuron scattering facilities and he visited several times Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (ISIS, UK), Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL, France), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (Gaithersburg, USA) and Oakridge National Lab (ORNL, USA).Prof. Bumajdad is a frequent reviewer to over 40 international journals in the field of nanotechnology and surface chemistry. He was the chair of the first Kuwait International Nanotechnology Conference and Exhibition that was held in 2016. Prof. Bumajdad is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and International Representative to RSC in Kuwait. Prof. Bumajdad was visiting professor to University of Bristol (Summer 2011) and to Calgary University (2003-2004). 

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Published

21-03-2022

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 2 (2022): Kuwait Journal of Science

Section

Biology