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Ali SS, Hassan LHS, El-Sheekh M. Microalgae-mediated bioremediation: current trends and opportunities-a review. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:343. [PMID: 38967670 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04052-x] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Environmental pollution poses a critical global challenge, and traditional wastewater treatment methods often prove inadequate in addressing the complexity and scale of this issue. On the other hand, microalgae exhibit diverse metabolic capabilities that enable them to remediate a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals, organic contaminants, and excess nutrients. By leveraging the unique metabolic pathways of microalgae, innovative strategies can be developed to effectively remediate polluted environments. Therefore, this review paper highlights the potential of microalgae-mediated bioremediation as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. It also highlights the advantages of utilizing microalgae and algae-bacteria co-cultures for large-scale bioremediation applications, demonstrating impressive biomass production rates and enhanced pollutant removal efficiency. The promising potential of microalgae-mediated bioremediation is emphasized, presenting a viable and innovative alternative to traditional treatment methods in addressing the global challenge of environmental pollution. This review identifies the opportunities and challenges for microalgae-based technology and proposed suggestions for future studies to tackle challenges. The findings of this review advance our understanding of the potential of microalgae-based technology wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh S Ali
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Lamiaa H S Hassan
- Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-kom, 32511, Egypt
| | - Mostafa El-Sheekh
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
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Eilertsen HC, Strømholt J, Bergum JS, Eriksen GK, Ingebrigtsen R. Mass Cultivation of Microalgae: II. A Large Species Pulsing Blue Light Concept. BIOTECH 2023; 12:biotech12020040. [PMID: 37218757 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12020040] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
If mass cultivation of photoautotrophic microalgae is to gain momentum and find its place in the new "green future", exceptional optimizations to reduce production costs must be implemented. Issues related to illumination should therefore constitute the main focus, since it is the availability of photons in time and space that drives synthesis of biomass. Further, artificial illumination (e.g., LEDs) is needed to transport enough photons into dense algae cultures contained in large photobioreactors. In the present research project, we employed short-term O2 production and 7-day batch cultivation experiments to evaluate the potential to reduce illumination light energy by applying blue flashing light to cultures of large and small diatoms. Our results show that large diatom cells allow more light penetration for growth compared to smaller cells. PAR (400-700 nm) scans yielded twice as much biovolume-specific absorbance for small biovolume (avg. 7070 μm3) than for large biovolume (avg. 18,703 μm3) cells. The dry weight (DW) to biovolume ratio was 17% lower for large than small cells, resulting in a DW specific absorbance that was 1.75 times higher for small cells compared to large cells. Blue 100 Hz square flashing light yielded the same biovolume production as blue linear light in both the O2 production and batch experiments at the same maximum light intensities. We therefore suggest that, in the future, more focus should be placed on researching optical issues in photobioreactors, and that cell size and flashing blue light should be central in this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Chr Eilertsen
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Finnfjord AS, N-9305 Finnsnes, Norway
| | | | | | - Gunilla Kristina Eriksen
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Richard Ingebrigtsen
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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Rambabu K, Avornyo A, Gomathi T, Thanigaivelan A, Show PL, Banat F. Phycoremediation for carbon neutrality and circular economy: Potential, trends, and challenges. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 367:128257. [PMID: 36343781 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Phycoremediation is gaining attention not only as a pollutant mitigation approach but also as one of the most cost-effective paths to achieve carbon neutrality. When compared to conventional treatment methods, phycoremediation is highly effective in removing noxious substances from wastewater and is inexpensive, eco-friendly, abundantly available, and has many other advantages. The process results in valuable bioproducts and bioenergy sources combined with pollutants capture, sequestration, and utilization. In this review, microalgae-based phycoremediation of various wastewaters for carbon neutrality and circular economy is analyzed scientometrically. Different mechanisms for pollutants removal and resource recovery from wastewaters are explained. Further, critical parameters that influence the engineering design and phycoremediation performance are described. A comprehensive knowledge map highlighting the microalgae potential to treat a variety of industrial effluents is also presented. Finally, challenges and future prospects for industrial implementation of phycoremediation towards carbon neutrality coupled with circular economy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rambabu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Amos Avornyo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - T Gomathi
- Biomaterials Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, DKM College for Women (Autonomous), Vellore, India
| | - A Thanigaivelan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham, Malaysia, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Fawzi Banat
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Agro-Industrial Wastewaters for Algal Biomass Production, Bio-Based Products, and Biofuels in a Circular Bioeconomy. FERMENTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8120728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recycling bioresources is the only way to sustainably meet a growing world population’s food and energy needs. One of the ways to do so is by using agro-industry wastewater to cultivate microalgae. While the industrial production of microalgae requires large volumes of water, existing agro-industry processes generate large volumes of wastewater with eutrophicating nutrients and organic carbon that must be removed before recycling the water back into the environment. Coupling these two processes can benefit the flourishing microalgal industry, which requires water, and the agro-industry, which could gain extra revenue by converting a waste stream into a bioproduct. Microalgal biomass can be used to produce energy, nutritional biomass, and specialty products. However, there are challenges to establishing stable and circular processes, from microalgae selection and adaptation to pretreating and reclaiming energy from residues. This review discusses the potential of agro-industry residues for microalgal production, with a particular interest in the composition and the use of important primary (raw) and secondary (digestate) effluents generated in large volumes: sugarcane vinasse, palm oil mill effluent, cassava processing waster, abattoir wastewater, dairy processing wastewater, and aquaculture wastewater. It also overviews recent examples of microalgae production in residues and aspects of process integration and possible products, avoiding xenobiotics and heavy metal recycling. As virtually all agro-industries have boilers emitting CO2 that microalgae can use, and many industries could benefit from anaerobic digestion to reclaim energy from the effluents before microalgal cultivation, the use of gaseous effluents is also discussed in the text.
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Trends on CO2 Capture with Microalgae: A Bibliometric Analysis. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154669. [PMID: 35897845 PMCID: PMC9331766 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The alarming levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) are an environmental problem that affects the economic growth of the world. CO2 emissions represent penalties and restrictions due to the high carbon footprint. Therefore, sustainable strategies are required to reduce the negative impact that occurs. Among the potential systems for CO2 capture are microalgae. These are defined as photosynthetic microorganisms that use CO2 and sunlight to obtain oxygen (O2) and generate value-added products such as biofuels, among others. Despite the advantages that microalgae may present, there are still technical–economic challenges that limit industrial-scale commercialization and the use of biomass in the production of added-value compounds. Therefore, this study reviews the current state of research on CO2 capture with microalgae, for which bibliometric analysis was used to establish the trends of the subject in terms of scientometric parameters. Technological advances in the use of microalgal biomass were also identified. Additionally, it was possible to establish the different cooperation networks between countries, which showed interactions in the search to reduce CO2 concentrations through microalgae.
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Li S, Li X, Ho SH. How to enhance carbon capture by evolution of microalgal photosynthesis? Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.120951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Mass Cultivation of Microalgae: I. Experiences with Vertical Column Airlift Photobioreactors, Diatoms and CO2 Sequestration. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12063082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
From 2015 to 2021, we optimized mass cultivation of diatoms in our own developed vertical column airlift photobioreactors using natural and artificial light (LEDs). The project took place at the ferrosilicon producer Finnfjord AS in North Norway as a joint venture with UiT—The Arctic University of Norway. Small (0.1–6–14 m3) reactors were used for initial experiments and to produce inoculum cultures while upscaling experiments took place in a 300 m3 reactor. We here argue that species cultivated in reactors should be large since biovolume specific self-shadowing of light can be lower for large vs. small cells. The highest production, 1.28 cm3 L−1 biovolume (0.09–0.31 g DW day−1), was obtained with continuous culture at ca. 19% light utilization efficiency and 34% CO2 uptake. We cultivated 4–6 months without microbial contamination or biofouling, and this we argue was due to a natural antifouling (anti-biofilm) agent in the algae. In terms of protein quality all essential amino acids were present, and the composition and digestibility of the fatty acids were as required for feed ingredients. Lipid content was ca. 20% of ash-free DW with high EPA levels, and omega-3 and amino acid content increased when factory fume was added. The content of heavy metals in algae cultivated with fume was well within the accepted safety limits. Organic pollutants (e.g., dioxins and PCBs) were below the limits required by the European Union food safety regulations, and bioprospecting revealed several promising findings.
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de Medeiros Dantas JM, Beigbeder JB, Lavoie JM. Evaluation of physicochemical preservation techniques for the storage of sugar beet molasses followed by bioethanol production. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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