Culture of Scenedesmus acuminatus in Corn Steep Liquor

Microalgae have been evaluated as a source of lipids for biodiesel production. They can be grown on effluent and produce biomass while removing organic and mineral components from the medium. The use of agro-industrial wastes for the production of microalgae is an alternative to reduce the costs related to the composition of the culture medium, thus reducing operational costs considerably. This work was conceived as a research about the cultivation of microalgae Scenedesmus acuminatus on the substrate composed by corn steep liquor. A central composite design (CCD) was carried to study the influence of the effluent and inoculum concentration on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the culture. Statistical analysis indicated that the percentage of inoculum and effluent had an influence on the COD. The cultivation, together with the coagulation procedure, was efficient for the removal of organic matter, verified through the COD reduction and changing of pH value. These two parameters reached the appropriate level according to the standard required by current legislation.