Potential prebiotic oligosaccharides from aqueous thermopressurized phosphoric acid hydrolysates of microalgae used in treatment of gaseous steakhouse waste

Microalgae have been utilized in CO2 biomitigation processes for the production of cellular biomass, which can be utilized for nutritional and commercial purposes. In this study, potential prebiotic oligosaccharides were obtained from microalgal biomass via phosphoric acid hydrolysis under moderate pH and thermopressurization conditions. The biomass extracted from a gaseous effluent treatment system at a local steakhouse was compared with the commercial microalga Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis. These biomasses were microscopically and physico-chemically analyzed, subjected to a 32 factorial design, and partially hydrolyzed by thermopressurization. The resulting oligosaccharide samples were used as carbon sources for culturing the probiotic microorganisms Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus casei. These oligosaccharides allowed for beneficial bacterial growth and the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as lactic and acetic acids. This research indicates the feasibility of potential prebiotic oligosaccharide production from microalgal biomass and simultaneously adds value to this by-product of gaseous waste treatment.