Azolla filiculoides as a feedstock for biofuel production: cultivation condition optimization

摘要

Abstract Azolla, as a water fern, is among the fast-growing marine macrophytes in the world, which makes it a potentially important sequester of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. This study aimed to enhance the Azolla growth rate and enhance the lipid extraction for biodiesel production. The maximum growth rate is achieved at a temperature of 22 °C, a light intensity of 20 lx, a humidity of 75%, and a pH of 6.4 within 2.1 days considered as doubling time. In addition, by considering the effect of key variables, a model was proposed, which can predict the Azolla growth rate. Lipid content in Azolla is found to be 11.7%. Finally, this harmful weed with its fast growth rate can be the feedstock of biorefineries; besides, its elimination can help wetlands conservation.