Estudo do potencial de cultivo e produção de bioprodutos de Gracilaria birdiae na costa oriental do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

The research is supported by the importance and growing interest dedicated to the global expansion of marine algae cultivation, with emphasis on macroalgae, notably established as a productive input in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, agricultural industries and, more recently, considered a promising resource in biofuels production. In Brazil, macroalgae are cultivated by simple techniques, on a small scale, in coastal communities, especially in the Brazilian Northeast, with some commercial initiatives in the South and Southeast regions. In this context, it aims to analyze the potential for production of bioproducts from the macroalgae biomass Gracilaria birdiae, considering the technical, economic and socio-environmental dimensions, taking as a study the coast east area of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The mapping of areas suitable for the cultivation of the investigated species, as well as the scenarios for its expansion and the estimation of its production potential for bioproducts - Bioethanol, Biofertilizer and Agar - made use of spatial data on biomass production in the cultivation areas installed in the localities of Rio do Fogo/RN and Pitangui-Extremoz/RN. In this way, through a modeling that considers different physical environment variables, such as technical infrastructure and socioeconomic data in a Geographic Information System, the entire spatialization of production has been mapped, accounting 2,227.59 ha identified as suitable for algae cultivation, classified in areas of high, medium, and low suitability. Presenting a prominent productive potential for bioproducts originating from Algaculture, activity capable of generating employment and income for coastal communities, sustainably strengthening the local economy.