Evaluating the Energy Production Potential of Local Algae Genera: A Case Study of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Keywords:
Algae, sewage, Biofuel, Renewable Energy, Spirogyra, Zygnema, OedogoniumAbstract
The reliance on fossil fuels as an energy source has led to environmental degradation and a myriad of health problems. This has prompted the need for a renewable source of energy that is both economical and sustainable. The objective of this study was to determine the renewable energy potentials of the alga grown in sewage. In this study local genera of filamentous algae were grown in sewage and starch and lipids accumulated was quantified. Spirogyra, Zygnema and Oedogonium were collected from Kesses area of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya and cultured under laboratory conditions at Moi University. After seven days, the amount of starch was estimated and lipid content was extracted and quantified. Wilcoxon rank sum test was utilized to decide whether there was a statistical difference in starch and lipids produced by algae that grew in sewage and those that grew in growth medium. Results showed that the algae accumulated starch and lipids in the following order; Spirogyra, Oedogonium and Zygnema. It was also observed that growth in sewage favored lipid rather than starch accumulation (r = -0.75, n = 18, p < 0.05). The study recommends that fatty acid composition of the algae should also be analyzed to find their suitability in biodiesel production.
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