03637ntm a2200325 i 4500 MY-KuUP 20261008101713.0 t||||fr|||| 000 0 ta 261008t20262026my a|||fr|||| 000 0 eng d THE0010833 (Local) Hardback UMPSA eng UMPSA rda FTKA .N53 2026 r Thesis Nida Khan, author. Characterization of marine macroalgae as a renewable resources for bioproducts / Nida Khan Kuantan, Pahang : UMPSA, 2026 © 2026 xv, 187 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-ROM. rdacontent text rdamedia unmediated rdacarrier volume rda text file PDF Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al Sultan Abdullah - 2026 Includes bibliographical references The escalating environmental impact of plastic pollution and fossil fuel dependency has accelerated the demand for renewable biomaterials. This study employs a multidimensional methodology to evaluate the industrial potential of various macroalgae species Sargassum polycystum, Cystoseira barbata, Sargassum wightii, Kappaphycopsis cottonii, Ulva fasciata, Gracilaria fisheri, Caulerpa lentillifera, and Ceramium rubrum. A multi-stage experimental approach was used. First, drying kinetics were analyzed using a PV-integrated portable solar dryer and compared with open sun drying to assess moisture removal and drying efficiency. Next, species-specific pathways were identified for biofuel, bioactive compounds, and bioproduct development. Finally, standardized characterization techniques (FTIR, TGA, and SEM-EDX) were applied to evaluate material quality and performance. Experiments were conducted across multiple species with species-specific sample preparation and analysis. A PV-integrated portable solar dryer was evaluated for its thermal efficiency. Compared to open sun drying, solar drying achieved greater moisture loss for Sargassum polycystum (56.25%) and Cystoseira barbata (59.9%), with significantly higher drying rates of up to 7.49g/hr. SEM-EDX and TGA analyses confirmed improved structural and elemental stability in solar-dried samples, with higher carbon retention and reduced contamination. In biofuel analysis, Kappaphycopsis cottonii and Ceramium rubrum showed high energy potential with calorific values reaching 10.45MJ/kg. For bioactive potential, Ulva fasciata and Kappaphycopsis cottonii yielded carbohydrate contents of 28–29% and protein up to 14%. Due to its favourable alginate content and structural properties, Sargassum wightii was specifically selected for the development of sustainable materials. Bioplastic films derived from Sargassum wightii and potato starch demonstrated 40% biodegradation within 21 days. Furthermore, biopaper developed from Sargassum wightii, 100% coco fiber, and a 50:50 blend based biopaper reached GSM values ranging from 131g/m² to 453g/m², with weight loss in soil burial tests ranging between 23% and 64% within 14 days. These findings demonstrate high environmental compatibility and functional versatility across all tested mediums. Overall, macroalgae is a versatile, multifunctional feedstock, providing a scalable roadmap for sustainable commercialization in the packaging, energy, and food-grade sectors. Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology Dissertations Universities and colleges Dissertations lcc THESIS 0 0 lcc 0 6 REF 10000 10000 2026-10-08 0 FTKA .N53 2026 r Thesis T000005684 2026-10-08 10:06:53 1 2026-10-08 THESIS 0 0 lcc 0 6 REF 10000 10000 2026-10-08 0 CD14081 T000005685 2026-10-08 10:07:22 1 2026-10-08 ACCOM 105696 105702