Evaluating Cost-Effective Culture Media for Nutraceutics Production from Microalgae Using Computer-Aided Large Scale Predictions

Abstract

The purpose of this research consist of microalgae biomass productivity prediction in a large scale plant from Chlorella vulgaris using SuperPro Designer software. Two culture media were evaluated to identify their potential use in large-scale processes: (a) the Bold Basal medium enriched with sodium acetate and (b) a growth medium for high cell density cultures proposed from references. Results found in this research suggest that simulated plant should reach a capacity to generate 1.4 kg/h of biomass at a cost of 1.44 USD/g using Bold Basal medium. In contrast, a productivity of 28 kg/h at a cost of 0.14 USD/g was found using a medium proliferation of highly dense microalgae cultures. These findings suggest that Bold Basal medium could negatively impact operating costs, limiting its use in large-scale processes regarding nutraceutics production. Results found here demonstrate the potential usage of simulators for estimating costs and production which allows predicting the bioprocess feasibility.