In Italy, watermelon cultivation spans 9510 hectares, with production levels largely influenced by seasonal market demand. As a result, surplus watermelon left unsold by September often remain in the fields, where they decompose naturally and go to waste. A chemical analysis of the watermelon liquid fraction waste (WW) indicates a high carbohydrate concentration, highlighting the potential for biotechnological valorization of this waste stream, converting it into lipids or exopolysaccharides (EPSs). This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing WW as an alternative growth substrate for microalgae, aligning with circular economy principles and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. By repurposing agricultural byproducts, this research supports biorefinery objectives, aiming to convert biomass into high-value secondary products, including biofuels, pigments, and nutraceuticals. Scenedesmus and Chlorella strains demonstrated promising growth and adaptability in WW, achieving biomass yields of 0.95 ± 0.07 g L−1 and 0.37 ± 0.02 g L−1, respectively, with a significant EPS production observed as medium gelation. Although lipid accumulation was limited in this case by the WW substrate, the lipid profiles of both strains were distinctively altered, notably lacking linolenic acid.

Preliminary Evaluation of Watermelon Liquid Waste as an Alternative Substrate for Microalgae Cultivation: A Circular Economy Approach to the Production of High-Value Secondary Products by Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp., Arthrospira platensis, and Chlamydomonas pitschmanii / Scarponi, P.; Fontana, L.; Bertesi, F.; D'Eusanio, V.; Tassi, L.; Forti, L.. - In: FERMENTATION. - ISSN 2311-5637. - 10:11(2024), pp. 1-13. [10.3390/fermentation10110582]

Preliminary Evaluation of Watermelon Liquid Waste as an Alternative Substrate for Microalgae Cultivation: A Circular Economy Approach to the Production of High-Value Secondary Products by Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp., Arthrospira platensis, and Chlamydomonas pitschmanii

Scarponi P.;D'Eusanio V.
;
Tassi L.;Forti L.
2024

Abstract

In Italy, watermelon cultivation spans 9510 hectares, with production levels largely influenced by seasonal market demand. As a result, surplus watermelon left unsold by September often remain in the fields, where they decompose naturally and go to waste. A chemical analysis of the watermelon liquid fraction waste (WW) indicates a high carbohydrate concentration, highlighting the potential for biotechnological valorization of this waste stream, converting it into lipids or exopolysaccharides (EPSs). This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing WW as an alternative growth substrate for microalgae, aligning with circular economy principles and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. By repurposing agricultural byproducts, this research supports biorefinery objectives, aiming to convert biomass into high-value secondary products, including biofuels, pigments, and nutraceuticals. Scenedesmus and Chlorella strains demonstrated promising growth and adaptability in WW, achieving biomass yields of 0.95 ± 0.07 g L−1 and 0.37 ± 0.02 g L−1, respectively, with a significant EPS production observed as medium gelation. Although lipid accumulation was limited in this case by the WW substrate, the lipid profiles of both strains were distinctively altered, notably lacking linolenic acid.
2024
10
11
1
13
Preliminary Evaluation of Watermelon Liquid Waste as an Alternative Substrate for Microalgae Cultivation: A Circular Economy Approach to the Production of High-Value Secondary Products by Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp., Arthrospira platensis, and Chlamydomonas pitschmanii / Scarponi, P.; Fontana, L.; Bertesi, F.; D'Eusanio, V.; Tassi, L.; Forti, L.. - In: FERMENTATION. - ISSN 2311-5637. - 10:11(2024), pp. 1-13. [10.3390/fermentation10110582]
Scarponi, P.; Fontana, L.; Bertesi, F.; D'Eusanio, V.; Tassi, L.; Forti, L.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
fermentation-10-00582 (1).pdf

Open access

Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 851.84 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
851.84 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1365717
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact