COD and nitrogen removal from sugarcane vinasse by heterotrophic green algae Desmodesmus sp.

Vinasse is the main wastewater from the ethanol fermentation-distillation process, generated in large volumes during industrial sugarcane processing. Desmodesmus is a green algae genus with recognized ability to treat wastewater containing organic matter and to consume nutrients under heterotrophic growth conditions. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate Desmodesmus sp. growth in sugarcane vinasse. Results indicated slight elevation of pH, low oxygen, and low carbon dioxide consumption. Nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were 52.1 and 36.2%, respectively. Specific growth rate of 0.15h(-1) and high yield of COD to biomass at first hour (0.5mgmg(-1)) suggest the feasibility of biomass production of this green algae in sugarcane vinasse.