DETERMINATION OF THE MAXIMUM YIELD AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC EQUATION OF THE ULVA LACTUCA MACROALGAE BASED ON CALCULATIONS OF STOICHIOMTRIC COEFFICIENTS

Abstract

Introduction:
Studies have shown that the macroalga Ulva lactuca is the largest CO2 receptor. In Cuba, the possibility of installing a plant for its intensive cultivation is being evaluated, which contributes to mitigate CO2 and allows obtaining algal biomass in a sustainable way. For design calculations, equipment selection and operating conditions, it is necessary to know the maximum biomass yieldand its photosynthetic equation.
Objective:
To estimate quantitatively the CO2 fixation mechanism of the macroalga Ulva lactuca, using different alternatives of the photosynthesis equation based on the calculation of stoichiometric coefficients.
Materials and Methods:
To calculate the yield and the amounts of substrate and nutrients that the biomass is able to assimilate, mass balances are carried out to optimize the production of algal biomass, applying the method of stoichiometric coefficients in the photosynthesis reaction.
Results and Discussion:
The maximum cell yield of Ulva lactuca is 63.5 %. Of the photosynthesis equations proposed, alternative four has values closer to photosynthetic reality, since there is a great correspondence between the stoichiometry of microalgae growth and product formation, together with the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus sources. Both results allow us to deduce the production of microalgal biomass to implement an economically and environmentally profitable technology.
Conclusions:
The maximum biomass yield and the photosynthetic equation allow for design calculations, equipment selection and operating conditions to scale up the technological process.