Utilization of Palm Oil Mill Effluent for Chlorella vulgaris Cultivation Medium under Mixotrophic Condition as Feedstock of Biofuel

Abstract

Indonesia is largest palm oil producer in the world. Increasing of palm oil influence palm oil mill effluent (POME) production. Several researcher reported that POME is a potential medium for microalgae to grow. Microalgae cultivated in mixotrophic condition has received attention as according to higher biomass and lipid productivity to provide biofuel feedstock. The aim of this research is to study growth of Chlorella vulgaris cultured in POME medium using different organic carbon source under mixotrophic condition. Carbon source (glucose, glycerol, and acetic acid) was added in 0-1.2gr/l concentration in 40% and 100% POME. Biomass was harvested using autoflocculation method, and dry biomass was extracted using ultrasound method to obtain lipid content. Our result revealed that C. vulgaris could grow on mixotrophic condition in POME medium and produce higher biomass and lipid content rather than autotrophic condition. Concentration of organic source also influenced in growth rate and biomass production. This provides a promising process to utilize POME and produce biomass as feedstock of biofuel from microalgae. Keywords: biofuel feedstock; Chlorella vulgaris; Mixotrophic cultivation; POME