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Journals / Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences / 2026 / Volume: 27 Issue: 1

Process optimization for third-generation bioethanol production from Chlorella vulgaris as a feedstock by Candida boidinii

Aybüke Kut Yılmaz(ANKARA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY PR.)0000-0001-5682-6942
Melike Kartal(ANKARA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY PR.)0009-0007-5962-5477
Gönül Dönmez(ANKARA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY PR.)0000-0001-7972-5570
Sevgi Ertuğrul Karatay(ANKARA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY PR.)0000-0001-9544-0276
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-09
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In addition, microalgae-based bioethanol production contributes to carbon dioxide mitigation through CO2 fixation, enhancing the overall environmental sustainability of the process.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background: Microalgae offer significant advantages for third-generation bioethanol production due to their rapid growth rates, high photosynthetic efficiency, and ability to accumulate substantial amounts of carbohydrates.
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Key Findings & Data:Moreover, their low lignin contained cell wall structure enables milder pretreatment requirements and more efficient enzymatic hydrolysis, which ultimately leads to improved sugar production and higher ethanol yields.
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Conclusion & Impact:In addition, microalgae-based bioethanol production contributes to carbon dioxide mitigation through CO2 fixation, enhancing the overall environmental sustainability of the process.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Microalgae · fermentation · supplement

Abstract

Background: Microalgae offer significant advantages for third-generation bioethanol production due to their rapid growth rates, high photosynthetic efficiency, and ability to accumulate substantial amounts of carbohydrates. Unlike agricultural food crops, microalgae can be cultivated on non-arable land using saline or wastewater resources, thereby avoiding competition with food crops. Moreover, their low lignin contained cell wall structure enables milder pretreatment requirements and more efficient enzymatic hydrolysis, which ultimately leads to improved sugar production and higher ethanol yields. In addition, microalgae-based bioethanol production contributes to carbon dioxide mitigation through CO2 fixation, enhancing the overall environmental sustainability of the process. For the mentioned reasons Chlorella vulgaris biomass was used as a feedstock for third-generation bioethanol production in the present study. Aims: The aim of this study is to develop a sustainable and integrated process for third generation bioethanol production by utilizing domestic food waste. Specifically, the research focuses on: investigating the effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the fermentation process; evaluating the performance of C. boidinii yeast in the presence of nanoparticle catalysts; optimizing cultivation conditions to achieve efficient microalgal growth and enhanced bioethanol production by C. boidinii; and examining the influence of key parameters, such as pretreatment methods (1% H2SO4 and 1% NaOH), biomass loading (50, 100, 200 g/L), and media composition, on the ethanol yield. Methods: In this study, C. vulgaris was used as a feedstock for bioethanol several key parameters were optimized, including microalgal cultivation conditions (photoautotrophic, photoheterotrophic with glucose, and photoheterotrophic with carrot pomace), pretreatment type (1% H2SO4 and 1% NaOH), biomass loading (50, 100, and 200 g/L), and nutrient supplementation (Medium 1 and Medium 2). Results: Candida boidinii exhibited the highest bioethanol production and productivity at 3.29 ± 0.14 g/L and 0.26 ± 0.01g/L.h, respectively. When Medium 1 was applied, bioethanol concentration and productivity further increased to 4.54 ± 0.18 g/L and 0.38 ± 0.01 g/L.h, respectively. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that fermentable sugars derived from C. vulgaris can be effectively converted into third-generation bioethanol by C. boidinii.

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Cite This Article

Yılmaz, A. K., Kartal, M., Dönmez, G., Karatay, S. E. (2026). Process optimization for third-generation bioethanol production from Chlorella vulgaris as a feedstock by Candida boidinii. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, Volume: 27 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025104

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