Algae Against Deforestation: Algae Oil as a Potential Palm Oil Substitute

Author

Abiela Meek, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Biological Engineering

Abstract

This capstone project is an effort to pursue sustainability through circular engineering design. With increasing interest in sustainable production of consumer products, creative and multifaceted solutions are the pathway forward to a more circular economy. Palm oil production is a key driver of deforestation worldwide and an unsustainable industry. As palm oil is a large player in the commodities market, evaluating a potential replacement provided a unique opportunity for sustainable circular engineering. High nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in wastewater are also a cause for environmental concern as they can lead to harmful algal blooms. By utilizing the nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater, rotating algae biofilm reactor (RABR) systems reduce the cost of growth media while removing potentially harmful nutrients from the wastewater further promoting a circular economy. A recent paper has demonstrated algae oil produced using pyruvic acid has a higher lipid quality similar to that of palm oil. This study seeks to determine the effects of pyruvic acid addition on current RABR technology. Specifically, biomass growth with pyruvic acid addition to naturally occurring algae biofilm grown in wastewater was compared to a biomass growth control without pyruvic acid. This study also examined the viability of Chromochloris zofingiensis (the species used in the prior study) as a potential biofilm former for future use in RABR systems. If C. zofingiensis is proven to be a biofilm former, RABR systems can be applied to this culture, providing a potential avenue for the upscale of palm oil replacements. Successful results of this study may result in new value- added product avenues for wastewater systems that also support sustainable circular engineering design.

Recommended Citation

Meek, Abiela, "Algae Against Deforestation: Algae Oil as a Potential Palm Oil Substitute" (2023). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 959.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/959