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Grivalský T, Lakatos GE, Štěrbová K, Manoel JAC, Beloša R, Divoká P, Kopp J, Kriechbaum R, Spadiut O, Zwirzitz A, Trenzinger K, Masojídek J. Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production by Synechocystis MT_a24 in a raceway pond using urban wastewater. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:44. [PMID: 38180554 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12924-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a potential source of biodegradable plastics that are environmentally friendly due to their complete degradation to water and carbon dioxide. This study aimed to investigate PHB production in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6714 MT_a24 in an outdoor bioreactor using urban wastewater as a sole nutrient source. The culture was grown in a thin-layer raceway pond with a working volume of 100 L, reaching a biomass density of up to 3.5 g L-1 of cell dry weight (CDW). The maximum PHB content was found under nutrient-limiting conditions in the late stationary phase, reaching 23.7 ± 2.2% PHB per CDW. These data are one of the highest reported for photosynthetic production of PHB by cyanobacteria, moreover using urban wastewater in pilot-scale cultivation which multiplies the potential of sustainable cultivation approaches. Contamination by grazers (Poterioochromonas malhamensis) was managed by culturing Synechocystis in a highly alkaline environment (pH about 10.5) which did not significantly affect the culture growth. Furthermore, the strain MT_a24 showed significant wastewater nutrient remediation removing about 72% of nitrogen and 67% of phosphorus. These trials demonstrate that the photosynthetic production of PHB by Synechocystis sp. PCC6714 MT_a24 in the outdoor thin-layer bioreactor using urban wastewater and ambient carbon dioxide. It shows a promising approach for the cost-effective and sustainable production of biodegradable carbon-negative plastics. KEY POINTS: • High PHB production by cyanobacteria in outdoor raceway pond • Urban wastewater used as a sole source of nutrients for phototrophic growth • Potential for cost-effective and sustainable production of biodegradable plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Grivalský
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic.
| | - Gergely Ernő Lakatos
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Štěrbová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - João Artur Câmara Manoel
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1645/31a, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Beloša
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Divoká
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Julian Kopp
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Getreidemarkt 9, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Kriechbaum
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Getreidemarkt 9, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Spadiut
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Getreidemarkt 9, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Zwirzitz
- Biosciences Research Group, University of Applied Sciences, Stelzhamerstraße 23, Wels, Austria
| | - Kevin Trenzinger
- Biosciences Research Group, University of Applied Sciences, Stelzhamerstraße 23, Wels, Austria
| | - Jiří Masojídek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Novohradská 237, Třeboň, Czech Republic
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Ruales E, Gómez-Serrano C, Morillas-España A, González-López C, Escolà Casas M, Matamoros V, Garfí M, Ferrer I. Resource recovery and contaminants of emerging concern mitigation by microalgae treating wastewater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 367:121950. [PMID: 39068780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the recovery of agricultural biostimulants and biogas from microalgae treating wastewater, in the framework of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, municipal wastewater was treated in demonstrative raceway ponds, and microalgal biomass (Scenedesmus sp.) was then harvested and downstream processed to recover biostimulants and biogas in a biorefinery approach. The effect of microalgal biostimulants on plants was evaluated by means of bioassays, while the biogas produced was quantified in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. Furthermore, the fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) over the process was also assessed. Bioassays confirmed the biostimulant effect of microalgae, which showed gibberellin-, auxin- and cytokinin-like activity in watercress seed germination, mung bean rooting, and wheat leaf chlorophyll retention. In addition, the downstream process applied to raw biomass acted as a pre-treatment to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. After biostimulant extraction, the residual biomass represented 91% of the methane yield from the raw biomass (276 mLCH4·g-1VS). The kinetic profile of the residual biomass was 43% higher than that of the unprocessed biomass. Co-digestion with primary sludge further increased biogas production by 24%. Finally, the concentration of CECs in wastewater was reduced by more than 80%, and only 6 out of 22 CECs analyzed were present in the biostimulant obtained. Most importantly, the concentration of those contaminants was lower than in biosolids that are commonly used in agriculture, ensuring environmental safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Ruales
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cintia Gómez-Serrano
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Ainoa Morillas-España
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Cynthia González-López
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Mònica Escolà Casas
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Matamoros
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianna Garfí
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Kamravamanesh D, Kokko M. Source separation and anaerobic co-digestion of blackwater and food waste for biogas production and nutrient recovery. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 90:1082-1098. [PMID: 39141053 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion of source-separated blackwater (BW) and food and kitchen waste (FW) offers decentralized circular economy solutions by enabling local production of biogas and nutrient-rich byproducts. In this study, a 2 m3 pilot-scale continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated under mesophilic conditions was utilized for co-digestion of BW and FW. The process obtained a CH4 yield of 0.7 ± 0.2 m3/kg influent-volatile solid (VS), reaching a maximum yield of 1.1 ± 0.1 m3/kg influent-VS, with an average organic loading rate of 0.6 ± 0.1 kg-VS/m3/d and HRT of 25 days. The CH4 production rate averaged 0.4 ± 0.1 m3/m3/d, peaking at 0.6 ± 0.1 m3/m3/d. Treatment of digestate through flocculation followed by sedimentation recovered over 90% of ammonium nitrogen and potassium, and 80-85% of total phosphorus in the liquid fraction. This nutrient-rich liquid was used to cultivate Chlorella vulgaris, achieving a biomass concentration of 1.2 ± 0.1 g/L and 85 ± 3% and 78 ± 5% ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency, respectively. These findings not only highlight the feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion of source-separated BW and FW in local biogas production but also demonstrate the potential of microalgae cultivation as a sustainable approach to converting digestate into nutrient-rich algae biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Kamravamanesh
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland; Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland E-mail:
| | - Marika Kokko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Ferrera E, Ruigómez I, Vela-Bastos C, Ferreira A, Gouveia L, Vera L. Resources recovery from domestic wastewater by a combined process: anaerobic digestion and membrane photobioreactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:49560-49573. [PMID: 39080174 PMCID: PMC11324692 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34468-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic and membrane technologies are a promising combination to decrease the energy consumption associated with wastewater treatment, allowing the recovery of resources: organic matter as biomethane, nutrient assimilation by microalgae and reclaimed water. In this study, domestic wastewater was treated using a combination of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket sludge reactor (UASB) and a membrane photobioreactor (MPBR). The outdoor facilities were operated continuously for three months under unfavourable environmental conditions such as lack of temperature control, winter season with lower solar irradiation and lower daylight hours which was a challenge for the present work, not previously described. The energetic valorisation of the organic matter present in the wastewater by biomethane produced in the UASB would contribute to reducing overall facilities' energy requirements. The ultrafiltration (UF) membrane facilitated the harvesting of biomass, operating at 10 L·h-1·m-2 during the experimental period. Although the main contribution to fouling was irreversible, chemical cleanings were not necessary due to effective fouling control, which prevented the final TMP from exceeding 25 kPa. In addition, microalgae-bacterial consortium developed without prior inoculation were harvested from the MPBR using membrane assistance. The obtained biomass was also successfully tested as a biostimulant for corn germination/growth, as well as a biopesticide against Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Ferrera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38206, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruigómez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38206, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Carolina Vela-Bastos
- LNEG - UBB - National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada Do Paço Do Lumiar 22, 1649-038, Lisbon, Portugal
- GreenCoLab - Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, Faro, Portugal
| | - Alice Ferreira
- LNEG - UBB - National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada Do Paço Do Lumiar 22, 1649-038, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luisa Gouveia
- LNEG - UBB - National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada Do Paço Do Lumiar 22, 1649-038, Lisbon, Portugal
- GreenCoLab - Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, Faro, Portugal
| | - Luisa Vera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38206, La Laguna, Spain.
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Viana C, Genevace M, Gama F, Coelho L, Pereira H, Varela J, Reis M. Chlorella vulgaris and Tetradesmus obliquus Protect Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) against Fusarium oxysporum. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1697. [PMID: 38931129 PMCID: PMC11207641 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Chlorella vulgaris and Tetradesmus obliquus were tested as biocontrol agents against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. This evaluation was conducted through in vitro and in vivo trials with spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The in vitro trials showed that C. vulgaris and T. obliquus were able to inhibit the phytopathogen, showing a similar inhibitory effect to that of the positive controls (Rovral, BASF® and Biocontrol T34, Biocontrol Technologies® S.L.). C. vulgaris aqueous suspensions at 3.0 g L-1 led to a hyphal growth of 0.55 cm, each corresponding to a reduction of 63% of fungal growth. With T. obliquus, the hyphal growth was 0.53 cm when applied at a concentration of 0.75 g L-1, having an inhibition of fungus growth of 64%. Thereafter, these results were validated in an in vivo trial on spinach using the same controls. The results revealed a lower severity and disease incidence and a reduction in the disease's AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve) when spinach was treated with the microalgae suspensions. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of C. vulgaris and T. obliquus suspensions as promising biocontrol agents against F. oxysporum in spinach when applied through irrigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Viana
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (J.V.); (M.R.)
- GreenCoLab-Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (F.G.); (L.C.); (H.P.)
| | - Méanne Genevace
- Faculty of Environmental Innovations, HAS University of Applied Sciences, Onderwijsboulevard 22, 15223 DE ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Florinda Gama
- GreenCoLab-Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (F.G.); (L.C.); (H.P.)
- Centre of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Luísa Coelho
- GreenCoLab-Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (F.G.); (L.C.); (H.P.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Hugo Pereira
- GreenCoLab-Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (F.G.); (L.C.); (H.P.)
- Centre of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - João Varela
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (J.V.); (M.R.)
- GreenCoLab-Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (F.G.); (L.C.); (H.P.)
- Centre of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Mário Reis
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (J.V.); (M.R.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Stirk WA, Bálint P, Široká J, Novák O, Rétfalvi T, Berzsenyi Z, Notterpek J, Varga Z, Maróti G, van Staden J, Strnad M, Ördög V. Comparison of plant biostimulating properties of Chlorella sorokiniana biomass produced in batch and semi-continuous systems supplemented with pig manure or acetate. J Biotechnol 2024; 381:27-35. [PMID: 38190851 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae-derived biostimulants provide an eco-friendly biotechnology for improving crop productivity. The strategy of circular economy includes reducing biomass production costs of new and robust microalgae strains grown in nutrient-rich wastewater and mixotrophic culture where media is enriched with organic carbon. In this study, Chlorella sorokiniana was grown in 100 l bioreactors under sub-optimal conditions in a greenhouse. A combination of batch and semi-continuous cultivation was used to investigate the growth, plant hormone and biostimulating effect of biomass grown in diluted pig manure and in nutrient medium supplemented with Na-acetate. C. sorokiniana tolerated the low light (sum of PAR 0.99 ± 0.18 mol/photons/(m2/day)) and temperature (3.7-23.7° C) conditions to maintain a positive growth rate and daily biomass productivity (up to 149 mg/l/day and 69 mg/l/day dry matter production in pig manure and Na-acetate supplemented cultures respectively). The protein and lipid content was significantly higher in the biomass generated in batch culture and dilute pig manure (1.4x higher protein and 2x higher lipid) compared to the Na-acetate enriched culture. Auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2-oxindole-3-acetic acid (oxIAA) and salicylic acid (SA) were present in the biomass with significantly higher auxin content in the biomass generated using pig manure (> 350 pmol/g DW IAA and > 84 pmol/g DW oxIAA) compared to cultures enriched with Na-acetate and batch cultures (< 200 pmol/g DW IAA and < 27 pmol/g DW oxIAA). No abscisic acid and jasmonates were detected. All samples had plant biostimulating activity measured in the mungbean rooting bioassay with the Na-acetate supplemented biomass eliciting higher rooting activity (equivalent to 1-2 mg/l IBA) compared to the pig manure (equivalent to 0.5-1 mg/l IBA) and batch culture (equivalent to water control) generated biomass. Thus C. sorokiniana MACC-728 is a robust new strain for biotechnology, tolerating low light and temperature conditions. The strain can adapt to alternative nutrient (pig manure) and carbon (acetate) sources with the generated biomass having a high auxin concentration and plant biostimulating activity detected with the mungbean rooting bioassay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A Stirk
- Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
| | - Péter Bálint
- Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Vár Square 2, Mosonmagyaróvár H-9200, Hungary
| | - Jitka Široká
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany ASCR, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany ASCR, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Tamás Rétfalvi
- Institute of Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Forestry, University of Sopron, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky str., Sopron 4H-9400, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Berzsenyi
- Institute of Agronomy, Kaposvár Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor Str. 40, Kaposvár H-7400, Hungary
| | - Jácint Notterpek
- Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Vár Square 2, Mosonmagyaróvár H-9200, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Department of Water and Environmental Sciences, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Vár Square 2, Mosonmagyaróvár H-9200, Hungary
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged 6726, Hungary; Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja 6500, Hungary
| | - Johannes van Staden
- Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
| | - Miroslav Strnad
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany ASCR, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Vince Ördög
- Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa; Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty, Széchenyi István University, Vár Square 2, Mosonmagyaróvár H-9200, Hungary
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Sánchez-Quintero Á, Fernandes SCM, Beigbeder JB. Overview of microalgae and cyanobacteria-based biostimulants produced from wastewater and CO 2 streams towards sustainable agriculture: A review. Microbiol Res 2023; 277:127505. [PMID: 37832502 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, marine macroalgae (seaweeds) have been used to produce commercial biostimulants in order to ensure both productivity and quality of agricultural crops under abiotic stress. With similar biological properties, microalgae have slowly attracted the scientific community and the biostimulant industry, in particular because of their ability to be cultivated on non-arable lands with high biomass productivity all year long. Moreover, the recent strategies of culturing these photosynthetic microorganisms using wastewater and CO2 opens the possibility to produce large quantity of biomass at moderate costs while integrating local and circular economy approaches. This paper aims to provide a state of the art review on the development of microalgae and cyanobacteria based biostimulants, focusing on the different cultivation, extraction and application techniques available in the literature. Emphasis will be placed on microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation using liquid and gaseous effluents as well as emerging green-extraction approaches, taking in consideration the actual European regulatory framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Sánchez-Quintero
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, IPREM, CNRS, 64 600 Anglet, France; MANTA-Marine Materials Research Group, Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, 64 600 Anglet, France; APESA, Pôle valorisation, 3 chemin de Sers, 64121 Montardon, France
| | - Susana C M Fernandes
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, IPREM, CNRS, 64 600 Anglet, France; MANTA-Marine Materials Research Group, Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, 64 600 Anglet, France.
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Masojídek J, Lhotský R, Štěrbová K, Zittelli GC, Torzillo G. Solar bioreactors used for the industrial production of microalgae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:6439-6458. [PMID: 37725140 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are excellent sources of biomass containing several important compounds for human and animal nutrition-proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, pigments and antioxidants as well as bioactive secondary metabolites. In addition, they have a great biotechnological potential for nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals as well as for CO2 sequestration, wastewater treatment, and potentially also biofuel and biopolymer production. In this review, the industrial production of the most frequently used microalgae genera-Arthrospira, Chlorella, Dunaliella, Haematococcus, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, Porphyridium and several other species is discussed as concerns the applicability of the most widely used large-scale systems, solar bioreactors (SBRs)-open ponds, raceways, cascades, sleeves, columns, flat panels, tubular systems and others. Microalgae culturing is a complex process in which bioreactor operating parameters and physiological variables closely interact. The requirements of the biological system-microalgae culture are crucial to select the suitable type of SBR. When designing a cultivation process, the phototrophic production of microalgae biomass, it is necessary to employ SBRs that are adequately designed, built and operated to satisfy the physiological requirements of the selected microalgae species, considering also local climate. Moreover, scaling up microalgae cultures for commercial production requires qualified staff working out a suitable cultivation regime. KEY POINTS: • Large-scale solar bioreactors designed for microalgae culturing. • Most frequently used microalgae genera for commercial production. • Scale-up requires suitable cultivation conditions and well-elaborated protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Masojídek
- Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Science, Třeboň, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Richard Lhotský
- Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Science, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Štěrbová
- Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Science, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | | | - Giuseppe Torzillo
- Istituto Per La Bioeconomia, CNR, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- Centro de Investigation en Ciencias del Mar Y Limnologia (CIMAR), Ciudad de La Investigation, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
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Masojídek J, Štěrbová K, Serrano CG, da Silva JC, Grivalský T, Figueroa FL, Fernández FGA. Photosynthetic performance of Chlamydopodium (Chlorophyta) cultures grown in outdoor bioreactors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2249-2262. [PMID: 36905416 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The microalga Chlamydopodium fusiforme MACC-430 was cultured in two types of outdoor pilot cultivation units-a thin-layer cascade (TLC) and a raceway pond (RWP) placed in a greenhouse. This case study aimed to test their potential suitability for cultivation scale-up to produce biomass for agriculture purposes (e.g., as biofertilizer or biostimulant). The culture response to the alteration of environmental conditions was evaluated in "exemplary" situations of good and bad weather conditions using several photosynthesis measuring techniques, namely oxygen production, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. Validation of their suitability for online monitoring in large-scale plants has been one of the objectives of the trials. Both techniques were found fast and robust reliable to monitor microalgae activity in large-scale cultivation units. In both bioreactors, Chlamydopodium cultures grew well in the semi-continuous regime using daily dilution (0.20-0.25 day-1). The biomass productivity calculated per volume was significantly (about 5 times) higher in the RWPs compared to the TLCs. The measured photosynthesis variables showed that the build-up of dissolved oxygen concentration in the TLC was higher, up to 125-150% of saturation (%sat) as compared to the RWP (102-104%sat). As only ambient CO2 was available, its shortage was indicated by a pH increase due to photosynthetic activity in the thin-layer bioreactor at higher irradiance intensities. In this setup, the RWP was considered more suitable for scale-up due to higher areal productivity, lower construction and maintenance costs, the smaller land area required to maintain large culture volumes, as well as lower carbon depletion and dissolved oxygen build-up. KEY POINTS: • Chlamydopodium was grown in both raceways and thin-layer cascades in pilot-scale. • Various photosynthesis techniques were validated for growth monitoring. • In general, raceway ponds were evaluated as more suitable for cultivation scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Masojídek
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Karolína Štěrbová
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Cintia Gómez Serrano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University ofAlmería-CIEMAT, Almería, Spain
| | - Jaqueline Carmo da Silva
- Department of Botany, Center of Biological Studies, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Tomáš Grivalský
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Félix Lopez Figueroa
- Andalusian Institute of Blue Biotechnology and Development (IBYDA), University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco Gabriel Acién Fernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University ofAlmería-CIEMAT, Almería, Spain
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10
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Clagnan E, Dell'Orto M, Štěrbová K, Grivalský T, Artur Câmara Manoel J, Masojídek J, D'Imporzano G, Gabriel Acién-Fernández F, Adani F. Impact of photobioreactor design on microalgae-bacteria communities grown on wastewater: Differences between thin-layer cascade and thin-layer raceway ponds. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 374:128781. [PMID: 36828223 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Thin-layer (TL) photobioreactors (PBRs) are characterised by high productivity. However, their use is limited to lab/pilot-scale, and a deeper level of characterisation is needed to reach industrial scale and test the resistance of multiple microalgae. Here, the performance and composition of eight microalgal communities cultivated in the two main TLs design (thin-layer cascade (TLC) and thin-layer raceway pond (RW)) were investigated through Illumina sequencing. Chlorella vulgaris showed robustness in both designs and often acted as an "invasive" species. Inoculum and reactor type brought variability. Eukaryotic microalgae inocula led to a more robust and stable community (higher similarity), however, RWs were characterised by a higher variability and did not favour the eukaryotic microalgae. The only cyanobacterial inoculum, Nostoc piscinale, was maintained, however the community was variable between designs. The reactor design had an effect on the N cycle with the TLC and RW configurations, enhancing nitrification and denitrification respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Clagnan
- Gruppo Ricicla Labs., Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia (DiSAA), Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Italy.
| | - Marta Dell'Orto
- Gruppo Ricicla Labs., Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia (DiSAA), Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Italy
| | - Karolína Štěrbová
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology CAS, Novohradská 237, 37901 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Grivalský
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology CAS, Novohradská 237, 37901 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - João Artur Câmara Manoel
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology CAS, Novohradská 237, 37901 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Masojídek
- Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology CAS, Novohradská 237, 37901 Třeboň, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Giuliana D'Imporzano
- Gruppo Ricicla Labs., Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia (DiSAA), Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Italy
| | - Francisco Gabriel Acién-Fernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, University of Almeria, Cañada San Urbano, s/n, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Fabrizio Adani
- Gruppo Ricicla Labs., Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia (DiSAA), Università degli studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Italy
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11
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Application of Green Technology to Extract Clean and Safe Bioactive Compounds from Tetradesmus obliquus Biomass Grown in Poultry Wastewater. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052397. [PMID: 36903642 PMCID: PMC10005368 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are capable of assimilating nutrients from wastewater (WW), producing clean water and biomass rich in bioactive compounds that need to be recovered from inside the microalgal cell. This work investigated subcritical water (SW) extraction to collect high-value compounds from the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus after treating poultry WW. The treatment efficiency was evaluated in terms of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), phosphate, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and metals. T. obliquus was able to remove 77% TKN, 50% phosphate, 84% COD, and metals (48-89%) within legislation values. SW extraction was performed at 170 °C and 30 bar for 10 min. SW allowed the extraction of total phenols (1.073 mg GAE/mL extract) and total flavonoids (0.111 mg CAT/mL extract) with high antioxidant activity (IC50 value, 7.18 µg/mL). The microalga was shown to be a source of organic compounds of commercial value (e.g., squalene). Finally, the SW conditions allowed the removal of pathogens and metals in the extracts and residues to values in accordance with legislation, assuring their safety for feed or agriculture applications.
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Nordic microalgae produce biostimulant for the germination of tomato and barley seeds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3509. [PMID: 36864186 PMCID: PMC9981563 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30707-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgal biomass may have biostimulating effects on plants and seeds due to its phytohormonal content, and harnessing this biostimulating effect could contribute to sustainable agriculture. Two Nordic strains of freshwater microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus were each cultivated in a photobioreactor receiving untreated municipal wastewater. The algal biomass and the supernatant after algal cultivation were tested on tomato and barley seeds for biostimulating effects. Intact algal cells, broken cells, or harvest supernatant were applied to the seeds, and germination time, percentage and germination index were evaluated. Seeds treated with C. vulgaris, in particular intact cells or supernatant, had up to 25 percentage units higher germination percentage after 2 days and an overall significantly faster germination time (germinated on average between 0.5 and 1 day sooner) than seeds treated with S. obliquus or the control (water). The germination index was higher in C. vulgaris treatments than in the control for both tomato and barley, and this was observed for both broken and intact cells as well as supernatant. The Nordic strain of C. vulgaris cultivated in municipal wastewater thus shows potential for use as biostimulant in agriculture, adding novel economic and sustainability benefits.
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Lakatos GE, Ranglová K, Bárcenas-Pérez D, Grivalský T, Manoel JC, Mylenko M, Cheel J, Nyári J, Wirth R, Kovács KL, Kopecký J, Nedbalová L, Masojídek J. Cold-adapted culturing of the microalga Monoraphidium sp. in thin-layer raceway pond for biomass production. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Šunjka D, Mechora Š. An Alternative Source of Biopesticides and Improvement in Their Formulation-Recent Advances. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3172. [PMID: 36432901 PMCID: PMC9694139 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant protection in contemporary agriculture requires intensive pesticide application. Their use has enabled the increase in yields, simplifying cultivation systems and crop protection strategies, through successful control of harmful organisms. However, it has led to the accumulation of pesticides in agricultural products and the environment, contaminating the ecosystem and causing adverse health effects. Therefore, finding new possibilities for plant protection and effective control of pests without consequences for humans and the environment is imperative for agricultural production. The most important alternatives to the use of chemical plant protection products are biopesticides. However, in order to increase their application and availability, it is necessary to improve efficacy and stability through new active substances and improved formulations. This paper represents an overview of the recent knowledge in the field of biopesticides and discusses the possibilities of the use of some new active substances and the improvement of formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Šunjka
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Špela Mechora
- Agency for Radwaste Management, Litostrojska 58A, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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15
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Photosynthesis Monitoring in Microalgae Cultures Grown on Municipal Wastewater as a Nutrient Source in Large-Scale Outdoor Bioreactors. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101380. [PMID: 36290287 PMCID: PMC9598107 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The remediation of waste nutrients, mainly nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon, results in low-cost biomass production. In this work, raceway ponds with an area of 1 and 0.5 ha were built in Mérida, Spain next to a municipal wastewater (WW) treatment plant. These DEMO bioreactors are operated continuously all year round. At the start of the trials, the bioreactors were filled with urban WW as a sole source of nutrients and left to be populated by the sewage-born phytoplankton. The fitness and growth of the phytoplankton population (dominated by the green microalga Micractinium) were monitored by photosynthesis measuring techniques. The cultures showed suitable photosynthetic activity. Productivity values ranged between 15 and 25 g DW m−2 day−1 and processed biomass revealed biostimulating activity. In these trials, photosynthesis measuring techniques, i.e., oxygen evolution and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence techniques, were validated to monitor large-scale bioreactors using municipal WW remediation for biomass production, which can be used for agricultural purposes as biofertilizer/biostimulant. Abstract Microalgae cultures were used for a WW treatment to remediate nutrients while producing biomass and recycling water. In these trials, raceway ponds (RWPs; 1 and 0.5 ha) were located next to a municipal (WW) treatment plant in Mérida, Spain. The ponds were used for continuous, all-year-round microalgae production using WW as a source of nutrients. Neither CO2 nor air was supplied to cultures. The objective was to validate photosynthesis monitoring techniques in large-scale bioreactors. Various in-situ/ex-situ methods based on chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen evolution measurements were used to follow culture performance. Photosynthesis variables gathered with these techniques were compared to the physiological behavior and growth of cultures. Good photosynthetic activity was indicated by the build-up of dissolved oxygen concentration up to 380% saturation, high photochemical yield (Fv/Fm = 0.62–0.71), and relative electron transport rate rETR between 200 and 450 μmol e− m−2 s−1 at midday, which resulted in biomass productivity of about 15–25 g DW m−2 day−1. The variables represent reliable markers reflecting the physiological status of microalgae cultures. Using waste nutrients, the biomass production cost can be significantly decreased for abundant biomass production in large-scale bioreactors, which can be exploited for agricultural purposes.
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Biorefinery Approach Applied to the Production of Food Colourants and Biostimulants from Oscillatoria sp. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091278. [PMID: 36138757 PMCID: PMC9495851 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study, a biorefinery based on Oscillatoria sp. is developed to produce high-value compounds such as C-phycocyanin, used in food colourant applications, and biostimulants, used in agriculture-related applications. The results confirm that C-phycocyanin concentrations ranging from 22 to 106 mg/L produce colours similar to commercial products; moreover, the safety of the extracted C-phycocyanin was confirmed through toxicity tests. The leftover biomass was confirmed as a biostimulant, with the results confirming a relevant auxin-like positive effect. Finally, an economic analysis was conducted to evaluate different scenarios, with results confirming this as the best scenario from an economic standpoint. Abstract In this study, a biorefinery based on Oscillatoria sp. is developed to produce high-value compounds such as C-phycocyanin, used in food colourant applications, and biostimulants, used in agriculture-related applications. First, the Oscillatoria biomass production was optimized at a pilot scale in an open raceway reactor, with biomass productivities equivalent to 52 t/ha·year being achieved using regular fertilizers as the nutrient source. The biomass produced contained 0.5% C-phycocyanins, 95% of which were obtained after freeze–thawing and extraction at pH 6.5 and ionic strength (FI) 100 mM, with a purity ratio of 0.71 achieved in the final extract. This purity ratio allows for use of the extract directly as a food colourant. Then, the extract’s colourant capacity on different beverages was evaluated. The results confirm that C-phycocyanin concentrations ranging from 22 to 106 mg/L produce colours similar to commercial products, thus avoiding the need for synthetic colourants. The colour remained stable for up to 12 days. Moreover, the safety of the extracted C-phycocyanin was confirmed through toxicity tests. The waste biomass was evaluated for use as a biostimulant, with the results confirming a relevant auxin-like positive effect. Finally, an economic analysis was conducted to evaluate different scenarios. The results confirm that the production of both C-phycocyanin and biostimulants is the best scenario from an economic standpoint. Therefore, the developed biomass processing scheme provides an opportunity to expand the range of commercial applications for microalgae-related processes.
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Gabrielyan DA, Sinetova MA, Gabel BV, Gabrielian AK, Markelova AG, Rodionova MV, Bedbenov VS, Shcherbakova NV, Los DA. Cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana IPPAS C-1 in Flat-Panel Photobioreactors: From a Laboratory to a Pilot Scale. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091309. [PMID: 36143346 PMCID: PMC9506280 DOI: 10.3390/life12091309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Flat-panel photobioreactors are effective systems for microalgae cultivation. This paper presents the growth characteristics of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana IPPAS C-1 as a result of three-stage scale-up cultivation in a specially designed cultivation system. First, C. sorokiniana was grown aseptically in 250 mL glass vessels; then, it was diluted and inoculated into a 5-liter flat-panel horizontal photobioreactor; and, at the last stage, the culture was diluted and inoculated into a 70-liter flat-panel vertical photobioreactor. In the presented cycle, the cultured biomass increased by 326 times in 13 days (from 0.6 to 195.6 g dw), with a final biomass concentration of 2.8 g dw L−1. The modes of semi-continuous cultivation were considered. The biomass harvest and dilution of the suspension were carried out either every day or every 3–4 days. For C. sorokiniana IPPAS C-1, a conversion coefficient of optical density values to dry biomass (g L−1) was refined through a factor of 0.33. The key parameters of the photobioreactors tested in this work are discussed.
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Antifungal potential, chemical composition of Chlorella vulgaris and SEM analysis of morphological changes in Fusarium oxysporum. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:2501-2505. [PMID: 35531239 PMCID: PMC9073035 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In pursuit of an environmentally benign fungicide alternative, the current study explored the antifungal activity of Chlorella vulgaris extracts against six plant pathogenic fungi (in vitro). The well diffusion agar method was used to investigate the growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sp., Fusarium solani, A. flavus, A. niger, and A. alternata using the three C. vulgaris extracts viz. methanol (CvME), acetone (CvAE), and diethyl ether (CvDE). Different concentrations of CvDE were also investigated against F. oxysporum. The morphological modifications in F. oxysporum treated with CvDE (5 mg/kg) were studied using SEM and the chemical composition of CvDE was also determined by GC–MS analysis. All extracts, with the exception of A. alternata, were found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic fungi. The CvDE extract, followed by CvME and CvAE, was found to be efficient against tested fungi. The CvDE was most effective against F. oxysporum with a 73.3% growth inhibition. The effects of various CvDE concentrations on F. oxysporum were found to be dosage dependent. The SEM micrograph revealed that CvDE-treated F. oxysporum had substantially less conidia than the control. The CvDE treatment damaged the mycelial structure as well. Major chemical components detected in CvDE were Heptaldehyde (15.7%), Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (12.6%), Hexadecanoic acid (12%), 3-Decyn-2-Ol (10.98%), (E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-ene (9.76%), heptadecane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol (8.7%), Docosane, 4-methyl (7.28%).
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Barceló-Villalobos M, Hoyo Á, Rodríguez-Miranda E, Guzmán JL, Acién FG. A new control strategy to improve the mass transfer capacity and reduce air injection costs in raceway reactors. N Biotechnol 2022; 70:49-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Ferreira A, Figueiredo D, Ferreira F, Ribeiro B, Reis A, da Silva TL, Gouveia L. Impact of High-Pressure Homogenization on the Cell Integrity of Tetradesmus obliquus and Seed Germination. Molecules 2022; 27:2275. [PMID: 35408674 PMCID: PMC9000265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have almost unlimited applications due to their versatility and robustness to grow in different environmental conditions, their biodiversity and variety of valuable bioactive compounds. Wastewater can be used as a low-cost and readily available medium for microalgae, while the latter removes the pollutants to produce clean water. Nevertheless, since the most valuable metabolites are mainly located inside the microalga cell, their release implies rupturing the cell wall. In this study, Tetradesmus obliquus grown in 5% piggery effluent was disrupted using high-pressure homogenization (HPH). Effects of HPH pressure (100, 300, and 600 bar) and cycles (1, 2 and 3) were tested on the membrane integrity and evaluated using flow cytometry and microscopy. In addition, wheat seed germination trials were carried out using the biomass at different conditions. Increased HPH pressure or number of cycles led to more cell disruption (75% at 600 bar and 3 cycles). However, the highest increase in wheat germination and growth (40-45%) was observed at the lowest pressure (100 bar), where only 46% of the microalga cells were permeabilised, but not disrupted. Non-treated T. obliquus cultures also revealed an enhancing effect on root and shoot length (up to 40%). The filtrate of the initial culture also promoted shoot development compared to water (21%), reinforcing the full use of all the process fractions. Thus, piggery wastewater can be used to produce microalgae biomass, and mild HPH conditions can promote cell permeabilization to release sufficient amounts of bioactive compounds with the ability to enhance plant germination and growth, converting an economic and environmental concern into environmentally sustainable applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ferreira
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
| | - Daniel Figueiredo
- GreenCoLab—Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
| | - Francisca Ferreira
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
| | - Belina Ribeiro
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
| | - Alberto Reis
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
| | - Teresa Lopes da Silva
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
| | - Luisa Gouveia
- LNEG—UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.F.); (B.R.); (A.R.); (T.L.d.S.)
- GreenCoLab—Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
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Integrated Approach for Carbon Sequestration and Wastewater Treatment Using Algal–Bacterial Consortia: Opportunities and Challenges. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the important greenhouse gases, due to combustion of fossil fuels, particularly burning coal, have become the major cause for global warming. As a consequence, many research programs on CO2 management (capture, storage, and sequestration) are being highlighted. Biological sequestration of CO2 by algae is gaining importance, as it makes use of the photosynthetic capability of these aquatic species to efficiently capture CO2 emitted from various industries and converting it into algal biomass as well as a wide range of metabolites such as polysaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, pigments, and vitamins. In addition, their ability to thrive in rugged conditions such as seawater, contaminated lakes, and even in certain industrial wastewaters containing high organic and inorganic nutrients loads, has attracted the attention of researchers to integrate carbon capture and wastewater treatment. Algae offer a simple solution to tertiary treatments due to their nutrient removal efficiency, particularly inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus uptake. The algal–bacterial energy nexus is an important strategy capable of removing pollutants from wastewater in a synergistic manner. This review article highlights the mechanism involved in biological fixation of CO2 by microalgae, their cultivation systems, factors influencing algal cultivation in wastewater and CO2 uptake, the effect of co-cultivation of algae and bacteria in wastewater treatment systems, and challenges and opportunities.
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Ortiz Tena F, Ranglová K, Kubač D, Steinweg C, Thomson C, Masojidek J, Posten C. Characterization of an aerated submerged hollow fiber ultrafiltration device for efficient microalgae harvesting. Eng Life Sci 2021; 21:607-622. [PMID: 34690632 PMCID: PMC8518668 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work characterizes a submerged aerated hollow fiber polyvinylidene fluorid (PVDF) membrane (0.03 μm) device (Harvester) designed for the ultrafiltration (UF) of microalgae suspensions. Commercial baker's yeast served as model suspension to investigate the influence of the aeration rate of the hollow fibers on the critical flux (CF, J c) for different cell concentrations. An optimal aeration rate of 1.25 vvm was determined. Moreover, the CF was evaluated using two different Chlorella cultures (axenic and non-axenic) of various biomass densities (0.8-17.5 g DW/L). Comparably high CFs of 15.57 and 10.08 L/m/2/h were measured for microalgae concentrations of 4.8 and 10.0 g DW/L, respectively, applying very strict CF criteria. Furthermore, the J c-values correlated (negative) linearly with the biomass concentration (0.8-10.0 g DW/L). Concentration factors between 2.8 and 12.4 and volumetric reduction factors varying from 3.5 to 11.5 could be achieved in short-term filtration, whereat a stable filtration handling biomass concentrations up to 40.0 g DW/L was feasible. Measures for fouling control (aeration of membrane fibers, periodic backflushing) have thus been proven to be successful. Estimations on energy consumption revealed very low energy demand of 17.97 kJ/m3 treated microalgae feed suspension (4.99 × 10-3 kWh/m3) and 37.83 kJ/kg treated biomass (1.05 × 10-2 kWh/kg), respectively, for an up-concentration from 2 to 40 g DW/L of a microalgae suspension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Ortiz Tena
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life SciencesKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)KarlsruheGermany
| | - Karolína Ranglová
- Laboratory of Algal BiotechnologyCentre AlgatechCzech Academy of ScienceInstitute of MicrobiologyTřeboňCzech Republic
| | - David Kubač
- Laboratory of Algal BiotechnologyCentre AlgatechCzech Academy of ScienceInstitute of MicrobiologyTřeboňCzech Republic
| | - Christian Steinweg
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life SciencesKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)KarlsruheGermany
| | | | - Jiří Masojidek
- Laboratory of Algal BiotechnologyCentre AlgatechCzech Academy of ScienceInstitute of MicrobiologyTřeboňCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Clemens Posten
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life SciencesKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)KarlsruheGermany
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23
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Insights into the technology utilized to cultivate microalgae in dairy effluents. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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An Overview of Some Biopesticides and Their Importance in Plant Protection for Commercial Acceptance. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10061185. [PMID: 34200860 PMCID: PMC8230470 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Biopesticides are natural, biologically occurring compounds that are used to control various agricultural pests infesting plants in forests, gardens, farmlands, etc. There are different types of biopesticides that have been developed from various sources. This paper underscores the utility of biocontrol agents composed of microorganisms including bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae, plant-based compounds, and recently applied RNAi-based technology. These techniques are described and suggestions are made for their application in modern agricultural practices for managing crop yield losses due to pest infestation. Biopesticides have several advantages over their chemical counterparts and are expected to occupy a large share of the market in the coming period.
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Growth and bioactivity of two chlorophyte (Chlorella and Scenedesmus) strains co-cultured outdoors in two different thin-layer units using municipal wastewater as a nutrient source. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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26
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Digestate as Sustainable Nutrient Source for Microalgae—Challenges and Prospects. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11031056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The interest in microalgae products has been increasing, and therefore the cultivation industry is growing steadily. To reduce the environmental impact and production costs arising from nutrients, research needs to find alternatives to the currently used artificial nutrients. Microalgae cultivation in anaerobic effluents (more specifically, digestate) represents a promising strategy for increasing sustainability and obtaining valuable products. However, digestate must be processed prior to its use as nutrient source. Depending on its composition, different methods are suitable for removing solids (e.g., centrifugation) and adjusting nutrient concentrations and ratios (e.g., dilution, ammonia stripping). Moreover, the resulting cultivation medium must be light-permeable. Various studies show that growth rates comparable to those in artificial media can be achieved when proper digestate treatment is used. The necessary steps for obtaining a suitable cultivation medium also depend on the microalgae species to be cultivated. Concerning the application of the biomass, legal aspects and impurities originating from digestate must be considered. Furthermore, microalgae species and their application fields are essential criteria when selecting downstream processing methods (harvest, disintegration, dehydration, product purification). Microalgae grown on digestate can be used to produce various products (e.g., bioenergy, animal feed, bioplastics, and biofertilizers). This review gives insight into the origin and composition of digestate, processing options to meet requirements for microalgae cultivation and challenges regarding downstream processing and products.
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