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Buckeridge E, Caballero CC, Smith DH, Stott MB, Carere CR. Substrate and nutrient manipulation during continuous cultivation of extremophilic algae, Galdieria spp. RTK 37.1, substantially impacts biomass productivity and composition. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024. [PMID: 39032007 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28814] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The extremophilic nature and metabolic flexibility of Galdieria spp. highlights their potential for biotechnological application. However, limited research into continuous cultivation of Galdieria spp. has slowed progress towards the commercialization of these algae. The objective of this research was to investigate biomass productivity and growth yields during continuous photoautotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation of Galdieria sp. RTK371; a strain recently isolated from within the Taupō Volcanic Zone in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Results indicate Galdieria sp. RTK371 grows optimally at pH 2.5 under warm white LED illumination. Photosynthetic O2 production was dependent on lighting intensity with a maximal value of (133.5 ± 12.1 nmol O2 mgbiomass -1 h-1) achieved under 100 μmol m-2 s-1 illumination. O2 production rates slowed significantly to 42 ± 1 and <0.01 nmol O2 mgbiomass -1 h-1 during mixotrophic and heterotrophic growth regimes respectively. Stable, long-term chemostat growth of Galdieria sp. RTK371 was achieved during photoautotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic growth regimes. During periods of ammonium limitation, Galdieria sp. RTK371 increased its intracellular carbohydrate content (up to 37% w/w). In contrast, biomass grown in ammonium excess was composed of up to 65% protein (w/w). Results from this study demonstrate that the growth of Galdieria sp. RTK371 can be manipulated during continuous cultivation to obtain desired biomass and product yields over long cultivation periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Buckeridge
- Te Tari Pūhanga Tukanga Matū, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Carlos C Caballero
- Te Tari Pūhanga Tukanga Matū, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand
- Scion Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand
- Laboratorio de Biorefinería, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Daniel H Smith
- Te Tari Pūhanga Tukanga Matū, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Matthew B Stott
- Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora-School of Biological Sciences, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Carlo R Carere
- Te Tari Pūhanga Tukanga Matū, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand
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Kastenhofer J, Spadiut O, Papangelakis VG, Allen DG. Roles of pH and phosphate in rare earth element biosorption with living acidophilic microalgae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:262. [PMID: 38483568 PMCID: PMC10940408 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13068-8] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) has spurred interest in the development of recovery methods from aqueous waste streams. Acidophilic microalgae have gained attention for REE biosorption as they can withstand high concentrations of transition metals and do not require added organic carbon to grow, potentially allowing simultaneous sorption and self-replication of the sorbent. Here, we assessed the potential of Galdieria sulphuraria for REE biosorption under acidic, nutrient-replete conditions from solutions containing ≤ 15 ppm REEs. Sorption at pH 1.5-2.5 (the growth optimum of G. sulphuraria) was poor but improved up to 24-fold at pH 5.0 in phosphate-free conditions. Metabolic activity had a negative impact on REE sorption, additionally challenging the feasibility of REE biosorption under ideal growth conditions for acidophiles. We further examined the possibility of REE biosorption in the presence of phosphate for biomass growth at elevated pH (pH ≥ 2.5) by assessing aqueous La concentrations in various culture media. Three days after adding La into the media, dissolved La concentrations were up to three orders of magnitude higher than solubility predictions due to supersaturation, though LaPO4 precipitation occurred under all conditions when seed was added. We concluded that biosorption should occur separately from biomass growth to avoid REE phosphate precipitation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the importance of proper control experiments in biosorption studies to assess potential interactions between REEs and matrix ions such as phosphates. KEY POINTS: • REE biosorption with G. sulphuraria increases significantly when raising pH to 5 • Phosphate for biosorbent growth has to be supplied separately from biosorption • Biosorption studies have to assess potential matrix effects on REE behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kastenhofer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Oliver Spadiut
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Research Group Integrated Bioprocess Development, TU Vienna, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimiros G Papangelakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - D Grant Allen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada.
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Goold HD, Moseley JL, Lauersen KJ. The synthetic future of algal genomes. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100505. [PMID: 38395701 PMCID: PMC10943592 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100505] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Algae are diverse organisms with significant biotechnological potential for resource circularity. Taking inspiration from fermentative microbes, engineering algal genomes holds promise to broadly expand their application ranges. Advances in genome sequencing with improvements in DNA synthesis and delivery techniques are enabling customized molecular tool development to confer advanced traits to algae. Efforts to redesign and rebuild entire genomes to create fit-for-purpose organisms currently being explored in heterotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotic microbes could also be applied to photosynthetic algae. Future algal genome engineering will enhance yields of native products and permit the expression of complex biochemical pathways to produce novel metabolites from sustainable inputs. We present a historical perspective on advances in engineering algae, discuss the requisite genetic traits to enable algal genome optimization, take inspiration from whole-genome engineering efforts in other microbes for algal systems, and present candidate algal species in the context of these engineering goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh D Goold
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia; ARC Center of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jeffrey L Moseley
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Phycoil Biotechnology International, Inc., Fremont, CA 94538, USA
| | - Kyle J Lauersen
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Chini Zittelli G, Lauceri R, Faraloni C, Silva Benavides AM, Torzillo G. Valuable pigments from microalgae: phycobiliproteins, primary carotenoids, and fucoxanthin. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:1733-1789. [PMID: 37036620 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Phycobiliproteins, carotenoids and fucoxanthin are photosynthetic pigments extracted from microalgae and cyanobacteria with great potential biotechnological applications, as healthy food colorants and cosmetics. Phycocyanin possesses a brilliant blue color, with fluorescent properties making it useful as a reagent for immunological essays. The most important source of phycocyanin is the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, however, recently, the Rhodophyta Galdieria sulphuraria has also been identified as such. The main obstacle to the commercialization of phycocyanin is represented by its chemical instability, strongly reducing its shelf-life. Moreover, the high level of purity needed for pharmaceutical applications requires several steps which increase both the production time and cost. Microalgae (Chlorella, Dunaliella, Nannochloropsis, Scenedesmus) produce several light harvesting carotenoids, and are able to manage with oxidative stress, due to their free radical scavenging properties, which makes them suitable for use as source of natural antioxidants. Many studies focused on the selection of the most promising strains producing valuable carotenoids and on their extraction and purification. Among carotenoids produced by marine microalgae, fucoxanthin is the most abundant, representing more than 10% of total carotenoids. Despite the abundance and diversity of fucoxanthin producing microalgae only a few species have been studied for commercial production, the most relevant being Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Due to its antioxidant activity, fucoxanthin can bring various potential benefits to the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. In this review, we update the main results achieved in the production, extraction, purification, and commercialization of these important pigments, motivating the cultivation of microalgae as a source of natural pigments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Chini Zittelli
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Rosaria Lauceri
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, CNR, Sede Di Verbania, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Cecilia Faraloni
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Ana Margarita Silva Benavides
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar Y Limnologίa, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Giuseppe Torzillo
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar Y Limnologίa, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica.
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Barbosa MJ, Janssen M, Südfeld C, D'Adamo S, Wijffels RH. Hypes, hopes, and the way forward for microalgal biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:452-471. [PMID: 36707271 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The urge for food security and sustainability has advanced the field of microalgal biotechnology. Microalgae are microorganisms able to grow using (sun)light, fertilizers, sugars, CO2, and seawater. They have high potential as a feedstock for food, feed, energy, and chemicals. Microalgae grow faster and have higher areal productivity than plant crops, without competing for agricultural land and with 100% efficiency uptake of fertilizers. In comparison with bacterial, fungal, and yeast single-cell protein production, based on hydrogen or sugar, microalgae show higher land-use efficiency. New insights are provided regarding the potential of microalgae replacing soy protein, fish oil, and palm oil and being used as cell factories in modern industrial biotechnology to produce designer feed, recombinant proteins, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Barbosa
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel Janssen
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Südfeld
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah D'Adamo
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands; Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, N-8049,Norway
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Salvatore MM, Carraturo F, Salbitani G, Rosati L, De Risi A, Andolfi A, Salvatore F, Guida M, Carfagna S. Biological and metabolic effects of the association between the microalga Galdieria sulphuraria and the fungus Penicillium citrinum. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1789. [PMID: 36720953 PMCID: PMC9889788 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27827-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Contamination of microalgae cultures can reduce their productivity and affect the quality of biomass and valuable bioproducts. In this article, after having isolated and identified for the first time the filamentous fungus Penicillium citrinum from heterotrophic cultures of the red polyextremophilic microalga Galdieria sulphuraria, we investigated the biological and metabolic significance of this alga-fungus association. In the same medium, both organisms grow better in each other's presence than separately. Both cell density and cell size of G. sulphuraria increase in co-cultures compared to pure alga cultures. In co-cultures, despite very severe growth conditions, the load of P. citrinum increases compared to pure fungus cultures. Optical microscope images have shown physical contact between cells of P. citrinum hyphae and G. sulphuraria which, however, retain their morphology and cell wall intact. GC-MS-based metabolomics analysis of metabolites excreted in the culture medium shows that pure cultures of the fungus and alga and co-cultures of alga plus fungus can be easily differentiated based on their metabolic products. Indeed, a richer assortment of extracellular metabolites (comprising both products of primary and secondary metabolism) is a distinct feature of co-cultures compared to both pure alga and pure fungus cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Michela Salvatore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Federica Carraturo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,Hygiene Laboratory, Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146, Napoli, NA, Italy.
| | | | - Luigi Rosati
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Arianna De Risi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Andolfi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Francesco Salvatore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Hygiene Laboratory, Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Simona Carfagna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Canelli G, Abiusi F, Vidal AG, Canziani S, Mathys A. Amino acid profile and protein bioaccessibility of two Galdieria sulphuraria strains cultivated autotrophically and mixotrophically in pilot-scale photobioreactors. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Parsaeimehr A, Ahmed II, Deumaga MLK, Hankoua B, Ozbay G. Enhancement in phycobiliprotein accumulation in Aphanothece sp. using different carbon sources and flashing frequency. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Microalgae based production of single-cell protein. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102705. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Abiusi F, Trompetter E, Pollio A, Wijffels RH, Janssen M. Acid Tolerant and Acidophilic Microalgae: An Underexplored World of Biotechnological Opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:820907. [PMID: 35154060 PMCID: PMC8829295 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their large number and diversity, microalgae from only four genera are currently cultivated at large-scale. Three of those share common characteristics: they are cultivated mainly autotrophically and are extremophiles or tolerate “extreme conditions.” Extreme growth conditions aid in preventing contamination and predation of microalgae, therefore facilitating outdoor cultivation. In search for new extremophilic algae suitable for large-scale production, we investigated six microalgal strains able to grow at pH below 3 and belonging to four genera; Stichococcus bacillaris ACUF158, Chlamydomonas acidophila SAG 2045, and Chlamydomonas pitschmannii ACUF238, Viridiella fridericiana ACUF035 and Galdieria sulphuraria ACUF064 and ACUF074. All strains were cultivated autotrophically at light intensity of 100 and 300 μmol m−2 s−1 and pH between 1.9 and 2.9. The autotrophic biomass productivities were compared with one of the most productive microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana SAG 211-8K, grown at pH 6.8. The acid tolerant strains have their autotrophic biomass productivities reported for the first time. Mixotrophic and heterotrophic properties were investigated when possible. Five of the tested strains displayed autotrophic biomass productivities 10–39% lower than Chlorella sorokiniana but comparable with other commercially relevant neutrophilic microalgae, indicating the potential of these microalgae for autotrophic biomass production under acidic growth conditions. Two acid tolerant species, S. bacillaris and C. acidophila were able to grow mixotrophically with glucose. Chlamydomonas acidophila and the two Galdieria strains were also cultivated heterotrophically with glucose at various temperatures. Chlamydomonas acidophila failed to grow at 37°C, while G. sulphuraria ACUF64 showed a temperature optimum of 37°C and G. sulphuraria ACUF74 of 42°C. For each strain, the biomass yield on glucose decreased when cultivated above their optimal temperature. The possible biotechnological applications of our findings will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Abiusi
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Fabian Abiusi,
| | - Egbert Trompetter
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Antonino Pollio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rene H. Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Marcel Janssen
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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