Enhancement of biobutanol production using mixotrophic culture of Oscillatoria sp. in cheese whey water

Biobutanol is a renewable ecofriendly fuel with high energy input and less volatility, which make it as a potential candidate for the replacement of fossil fuel. Several researchers have investigated the biobutanol production from low cost feed stock such as starch, algal biomass etc. and each has its own advantages. Enhancing carbohydrate percentage in an algal biomass is an alternative potential approach for increasing the biobutanol production during fermentation. Hence, the main aim of the research was to increase the biobutanol production by enhancing the carbohydrate percentage of Oscillatoria sp. by imposing nitrate and phosphate deprived conditions of BG 11 media along with cheese whey water (CWW). The experimental results showed that the carbohydrate content was increased to 63.85% for the CWW to BG11 medium ratio of 1:3 (25% CWW and N, P60%). Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation of this biomass using C. acetobutylicum demonstrated the butanol production with deprived conditions was 1.6 folds higher as compared to the control experiment. The results demonstrated the compatibility of Oscillatoria sp. in wastewater with nutrient alterations for the scope of biobutanol production.

Automated summary

Biobutanol is a renewable eco-friendly fuel with high energy input potential. Increasing carbohydrate content in algal biomass can boost biobutanol production, as demonstrated by experimental results showing higher production efficiency under deprived conditions. The study highlights the compatibility of Oscillatoria sp. in wastewater with nutrient alterations for biobutanol production.