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Bellido-Pedraza CM, Torres MJ, Llamas A. The Microalgae Chlamydomonas for Bioremediation and Bioproduct Production. Cells 2024; 13:1137. [PMID: 38994989 PMCID: PMC11240456 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131137] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The extensive metabolic diversity of microalgae, coupled with their rapid growth rates and cost-effective production, position these organisms as highly promising resources for a wide range of biotechnological applications. These characteristics allow microalgae to address crucial needs in the agricultural, medical, and industrial sectors. Microalgae are proving to be valuable in various fields, including the remediation of diverse wastewater types, the production of biofuels and biofertilizers, and the extraction of various products from their biomass. For decades, the microalga Chlamydomonas has been widely used as a fundamental research model organism in various areas such as photosynthesis, respiration, sulfur and phosphorus metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and flagella synthesis, among others. However, in recent years, the potential of Chlamydomonas as a biotechnological tool for bioremediation, biofertilization, biomass, and bioproducts production has been increasingly recognized. Bioremediation of wastewater using Chlamydomonas presents significant potential for sustainable reduction in contaminants and facilitates resource recovery and valorization of microalgal biomass, offering important economic benefits. Chlamydomonas has also established itself as a platform for the production of a wide variety of biotechnologically interesting products, such as different types of biofuels, and high-value-added products. The aim of this review is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the potential of Chlamydomonas in these aspects, and to explore their interrelationship, which would offer significant environmental and biotechnological advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen M Bellido-Pedraza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus de Rabanales and Campus Internacional de Excelencia Agroalimentario (CeiA3), University of Córdoba, Edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Maria J Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus de Rabanales and Campus Internacional de Excelencia Agroalimentario (CeiA3), University of Córdoba, Edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Angel Llamas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus de Rabanales and Campus Internacional de Excelencia Agroalimentario (CeiA3), University of Córdoba, Edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
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2
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Sun X, LaVoie M, Lefebvre PA, Gallaher SD, Glaesener AG, Strenkert D, Mehta R, Merchant SS, Silflow CD. Mutation of negative regulatory gene CEHC1 encoding an FBXO3 protein results in normoxic expression of HYDA genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.22.586359. [PMID: 38586028 PMCID: PMC10996464 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.22.586359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Oxygen is known to prevent hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas, both by inhibiting the hydrogenase enzyme and by preventing the accumulation of HYDA-encoding transcripts. We developed a screen for mutants showing constitutive accumulation of HYDA1 transcripts in the presence of oxygen. A reporter gene required for ciliary motility, placed under the control of the HYDA1 promoter, conferred motility only in hypoxic conditions. By selecting for mutants able to swim even in the presence of oxygen we obtained strains that express the reporter gene constitutively. One mutant identified a gene encoding an F-box only protein 3 (FBXO3), known to participate in ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation pathways in other eukaryotes. Transcriptome profiles revealed that the mutation, termed cehc1-1 , leads to constitutive expression of HYDA1 and other genes regulated by hypoxia, and of many genes known to be targets of CRR1, a transcription factor in the nutritional copper signaling pathway. CRR1 was required for the constitutive expression of the HYDA1 reporter gene in cehc1-1 mutants. The CRR1 protein, which is normally degraded in Cu-supplemented cells, was stabilized in cehc1-1 cells, supporting the conclusion that CEHC1 acts to facilitate the degradation of CRR1. Our results reveal a novel negative regulator in the CRR1 pathway and possibly other pathways leading to complex metabolic changes associated with response to hypoxia.
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Shevela D, Schröder WP, Messinger J. Measurements of Oxygen Evolution in Photosynthesis. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2790:133-148. [PMID: 38649570 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3790-6_8] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
This chapter compares two different techniques for monitoring photosynthetic O2 production; the wide-spread Clark-type O2 electrode and the more sophisticated membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) technique. We describe how a simple membrane inlet for MIMS can be made out of a commercial Clark-type cell and outline the advantages and drawbacks of the two techniques to guide researchers in deciding which method to use. Protocols and examples are given for measuring O2 evolution rates and for determining the number of chlorophyll molecules per active photosystem II reaction center.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Johannes Messinger
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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4
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Alavi G, Engelbrecht V, Hemschemeier A, Happe T. The Alga Uronema belkae Has Two Structural Types of [FeFe]-Hydrogenases with Different Biochemical Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17311. [PMID: 38139142 PMCID: PMC10744039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417311] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Several species of microalgae can convert light energy into molecular hydrogen (H2) by employing enzymes of early phylogenetic origin, [FeFe]-hydrogenases, coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Bacterial [FeFe]-hydrogenases consist of a conserved domain that harbors the active site cofactor, the H-domain, and an additional domain that binds electron-conducting FeS clusters, the F-domain. In contrast, most algal hydrogenases characterized so far have a structurally reduced, so-termed M1-type architecture, which consists only of the H-domain that interacts directly with photosynthetic ferredoxin PetF as an electron donor. To date, only a few algal species are known to contain bacterial-type [FeFe]-hydrogenases, and no M1-type enzymes have been identified in these species. Here, we show that the chlorophycean alga Uronema belkae possesses both bacterial-type and algal-type [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Both hydrogenase genes are transcribed, and the cells produce H2 under hypoxic conditions. The biochemical analyses show that the two enzymes show features typical for each of the two [FeFe]-hydrogenase types. Most notable in the physiological context is that the bacterial-type hydrogenase does not interact with PetF proteins, suggesting that the two enzymes are integrated differently into the alga's metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anja Hemschemeier
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Photobiotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (G.A.); (V.E.)
| | - Thomas Happe
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Photobiotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (G.A.); (V.E.)
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5
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Ge-Zhang S, Cai T, Song M. Life in biophotovoltaics systems. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1151131. [PMID: 37615025 PMCID: PMC10444202 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1151131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
As the most suitable potential clean energy power generation technology, biophotovoltaics (BPV) not only inherits the advantages of traditional photovoltaics, such as safety, reliability and no noise, but also solves the disadvantages of high pollution and high energy consumption in the manufacturing process, providing new functions of self-repair and natural degradation. The basic idea of BPV is to collect light energy and generate electric energy by using photosynthetic autotrophs or their parts, and the core is how these biological materials can quickly and low-loss transfer electrons to the anode through mediators after absorbing light energy and generating electrons. In this mini-review, we summarized the biological materials widely used in BPV at present, mainly cyanobacteria, green algae, biological combinations (using multiple microorganisms in the same BPV system) and isolated products (purified thylakoids, chloroplasts, photosystem I, photosystem II), introduced how researchers overcome the shortcomings of low photocurrent output of BPV, pointed out the limitations that affected the development of BPV' biological materials, and put forward reasonable assumptions accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taoyang Cai
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Mingbo Song
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
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6
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Pan G, Hou X, Liu Z, Yang C, Long J, Huang G, Bi J, Yu Y, Li L. The Hydration-Initiated Pathway of Water Oxidation over Photoexcited Covalent Organic Frameworks. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c03878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Pan
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuesen Hou
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengkai Yang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinlin Long
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guocheng Huang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinhong Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liuyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Eco-materials Advanced Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People’s Republic of China
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7
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Redding KE, Appel J, Boehm M, Schuhmann W, Nowaczyk MM, Yacoby I, Gutekunst K. Advances and challenges in photosynthetic hydrogen production. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:1313-1325. [PMID: 35581021 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The vision to replace coal with hydrogen goes back to Jules Verne in 1874. However, sustainable hydrogen production remains challenging. The most elegant approach is to utilize photosynthesis for water splitting and to subsequently save solar energy as hydrogen. Cyanobacteria and green algae are unicellular photosynthetic organisms that contain hydrogenases and thereby possess the enzymatic equipment for photosynthetic hydrogen production. These features of cyanobacteria and algae have inspired artificial and semi-artificial in vitro techniques, that connect photoexcited materials or enzymes with hydrogenases or mimics of these for hydrogen production. These in vitro methods have on their part been models for the fusion of cyanobacterial and algal hydrogenases to photosynthetic photosystem I (PSI) in vivo, which recently succeeded as proofs of principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin E Redding
- School of Molecular Sciences and Center for Bioenergy & Photosynthesis, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jens Appel
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Bioenergetics in Photoautotrophs, University Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Marko Boehm
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Bioenergetics in Photoautotrophs, University Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Marc M Nowaczyk
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Iftach Yacoby
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Kirstin Gutekunst
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Bioenergetics in Photoautotrophs, University Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany.
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8
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Lee H, Shin D, Choi J, Ki CS, Hyun J. Mimicry of the plant leaf with a living hydrogel sheet of cellulose nanofibers. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 290:119485. [PMID: 35550772 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Here, we composite an artificial leaf comprising a transparent hydrogel sheet, vein structures, and a photosynthetic system using cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) which can be produced from a biomass. A simple imprinting using a 3D printed stamp enabled the formation of fluidic channels in the hydrogel, embedding living cells without toxic chemistry or a drying process. Microalgae in the hydrogel grows and proliferates under ambient condition for a long period because of the continuous supply of nutrient from the channels, which is more effective for metabolic bioactivity than a flat sheet cultured in a bulk solution. This mimicry of the plant leaf provides a potential for a whole artificial plant. In addition, the simple fabrication of fluidic channels in the hydrogel can be applied to diverse living organisms, including bacteria, animal, and plant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwarueon Lee
- Department of Biosystems and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeok Shin
- Department of Biosystems and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeho Choi
- Department of Biosystems and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seok Ki
- Department of Biosystems and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Hyun
- Department of Biosystems and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Cheng P, Li Y, Wang C, Guo J, Zhou C, Zhang R, Ma Y, Ma X, Wang L, Cheng Y, Yan X, Ruan R. Integrated marine microalgae biorefineries for improved bioactive compounds: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152895. [PMID: 34998757 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marine microalgae offer a promising feedstock for biofuels and other valuable compounds for biorefining and carry immense potential to contribute to a clean energy and environment future. However, it is currently not economically feasible to use marine algae to produce biofuels, and the potential bioactive chemicals account for only a small market share. The production of algal biomass with multiple valuable chemicals is closely related to the algal species, cultivation conditions, culture systems, and production modes. Thus, higher requirements for screening of dominant algal strains, developing integrated technologies with the optimum culture conditions, efficient cultivation systems, and production modes to exploit algal biomass for biorefinery applications, are all needed. This review summarizes the screening of dominant microalgae, discusses the environmental conditions that may affect the growth, as well as the culture systems and production modes, and further emphasizes the valorization options of the algal biomass, which should help to offer a sustainable approach to run a profitable marine algae production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cheng
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China; Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Yantao Li
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chun Wang
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Jiameng Guo
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Chengxu Zhou
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Renchuan Zhang
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Yiwei Ma
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Xiaochen Ma
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Yanling Cheng
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Xiaojun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Roger Ruan
- Center for Biorefining, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
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10
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King SJ, Jerkovic A, Brown LJ, Petroll K, Willows RD. Synthetic biology for improved hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:1946-1965. [PMID: 35338590 PMCID: PMC9249334 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14024] [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: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels. It has applications for electricity generation and transportation and is used for the manufacturing of ammonia and steel. However, today, H2 is almost exclusively produced from coal and natural gas. As such, methods to produce H2 that do not use fossil fuels need to be developed and adopted. The biological manufacturing of H2 may be one promising solution as this process is clean and renewable. Hydrogen is produced biologically via enzymes called hydrogenases. There are three classes of hydrogenases namely [FeFe], [NiFe] and [Fe] hydrogenases. The [FeFe] hydrogenase HydA1 from the model unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been studied extensively and belongs to the A1 subclass of [FeFe] hydrogenases that have the highest turnover frequencies amongst hydrogenases (21,000 ± 12,000 H2 s−1 for CaHydA from Clostridium acetobutyliticum). Yet to date, limitations in C. reinhardtii H2 production pathways have hampered commercial scale implementation, in part due to O2 sensitivity of hydrogenases and competing metabolic pathways, resulting in low H2 production efficiency. Here, we describe key processes in the biogenesis of HydA1 and H2 production pathways in C. reinhardtii. We also summarize recent advancements of algal H2 production using synthetic biology and describe valuable tools such as high‐throughput screening (HTS) assays to accelerate the process of engineering algae for commercial biological H2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J King
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ante Jerkovic
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Louise J Brown
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kerstin Petroll
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert D Willows
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Chen J, Li Y, Li M, Shi J, Wang L, Luo S, Liu H. Chemical Flocculation-Based Green Algae Materials for Photobiological Hydrogen Production. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:897-903. [PMID: 35080839 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Photobiological hydrogen production is among the most promising ways toward the mass production of hydrogen energy. The use of green algal aggregates to produce photobiological hydrogen has attracted much attention because it overcomes the limitations of sulfur deprivation and oxygen scavengers. However, the current preparation of green algal aggregates that are capable of hydrogen production is time-consuming and laborious, leading to a difficulty in large-scale applications. Here, we demonstrated that the chemical flocculation of green algae is able to generate aggregates for photobiological hydrogen production. We find that Chlorella pyrenoidosa can directly form aggregates in the original liquid cultures by a commercial chemical flocculant, cationic etherified starch, thereby achieving sustainable hydrogen production for 11 days under continuous light irradiation, and the average rate of photobiological production reaches 0.37 μmol H2 (mg chlorophyll·h)-1. This research provides a feasible approach for preparing a low-cost photobiological hydrogen production system helping to realize carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yujie Li
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.,Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mingrui Li
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiye Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Shihua Luo
- Department of Traumatology, Rui Jin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Huajie Liu
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Abstract
It is well known that over the last 60 years the trend of long-lived greenhouse gas emissions have shown a strong acceleration. There is an increasing concern and a mounting opposition by public opinion to continue with the use of fossil energy. Western countries are presently involved in a so-called energy transition with the objective of abandoning fossil energy for renewable sources. In this connection, hydrogen can play a central role. One of the sustainable ways to produce hydrogen is the use of microalgae which possess two important natural catalysts: photosystem II and hydrogenase, used to split water and to combine protons and electrons to generate gaseous hydrogen, respectively. For about 20 years of study on photobiological hydrogen production, our scientific hopes were based on the application of the sulfur protocol, which indisputably represented a very important advancement in the field of hydrogen production biotechnology. However, as reported in this review, there is increasing evidence that this strategy is not economically viable. Therefore, a change of paradigm for the photobiological production of hydrogen based on microalgae seems mandatory. This review points out that an increasing number of microalgal strains other than Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are being tested and are able to produce sustainable amount of hydrogen without nutrient starvation and to fulfill this goal including the application of co-cultures.
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13
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Nikkanen L, Solymosi D, Jokel M, Allahverdiyeva Y. Regulatory electron transport pathways of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and microalgae: Recent advances and biotechnological prospects. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:514-525. [PMID: 33764547 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria and microalgae perform oxygenic photosynthesis where light energy is harnessed to split water into oxygen and protons. This process releases electrons that are used by the photosynthetic electron transport chain to form reducing equivalents that provide energy for the cell metabolism. Constant changes in environmental conditions, such as light availability, temperature, and access to nutrients, create the need to balance the photochemical reactions and the metabolic demands of the cell. Thus, cyanobacteria and microalgae evolved several auxiliary electron transport (AET) pathways to disperse the potentially harmful over-supply of absorbed energy. AET pathways are comprised of electron sinks, e.g. flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) or other terminal oxidases, and pathways that recycle electrons around photosystem I, like NADPH-dehydrogenase-like complexes (NDH) or the ferredoxin-plastoquinone reductase (FQR). Under controlled conditions the need for these AET pathways is decreased and AET can even be energetically wasteful. Therefore, redirecting photosynthetic reducing equivalents to biotechnologically useful reactions, catalyzed by i.e. innate hydrogenases or heterologous enzymes, offers novel possibilities to apply photosynthesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Nikkanen
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Daniel Solymosi
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Martina Jokel
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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14
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Kosourov S, Böhm M, Senger M, Berggren G, Stensjö K, Mamedov F, Lindblad P, Allahverdiyeva Y. Photosynthetic hydrogen production: Novel protocols, promising engineering approaches and application of semi-synthetic hydrogenases. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:555-567. [PMID: 33860946 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic production of molecular hydrogen (H2 ) by cyanobacteria and green algae is a potential source of renewable energy. These organisms are capable of water biophotolysis by taking advantage of photosynthetic apparatus that links water oxidation at Photosystem II and reduction of protons to H2 downstream of Photosystem I. Although the process has a theoretical potential to displace fossil fuels, photosynthetic H2 production in its current state is not yet efficient enough for industrial applications due to a number of physiological, biochemical, and engineering barriers. This article presents a short overview of the metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in H2 photoproduction in cyanobacteria and green algae and our present understanding of the mechanisms of this process. We also summarize recent advances in engineering photosynthetic cell factories capable of overcoming the major barriers to efficient and sustainable H2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Kosourov
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Maximilian Böhm
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Moritz Senger
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gustav Berggren
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Stensjö
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fikret Mamedov
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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15
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Allahverdiyeva Y, Aro EM, van Bavel B, Escudero C, Funk C, Heinonen J, Herfindal L, Lindblad P, Mäkinen S, Penttilä M, Sivonen K, Skogen Chauton M, Skomedal H, Skjermo J. NordAqua, a Nordic Center of Excellence to develop an algae-based photosynthetic production platform. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:507-513. [PMID: 33709388 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
NordAqua is a multidisciplinary Nordic Center of Excellence funded by NordForsk Bioeconomy program (2017-2022). The research center promotes Blue Bioeconomy and endeavours to reform the use of natural resources in a environmentally sustainable way. In this short communication, we summarize particular outcomes of the consortium. The key research progress of NordAqua includes (1) improving of photosynthetisis, (2) developing novel photosynthetic cell factories that function in a "solar-driven direct CO2 capture to target bioproducts" mode, (3) promoting the diversity of Nordic cyanobacteria and algae as an abundant and resilient alternative for less sustainable forest biomass and for innovative production of biochemicals, and (4) improving the bio-based wastewater purification and nutrient recycling technologies to provide new tools for integrative circular economy platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Eva-Mari Aro
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Bert van Bavel
- Section of Environmental Pollutants, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Section of Environmental Pollutants, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jarna Heinonen
- Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, School of Economics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lars Herfindal
- Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sari Mäkinen
- Department of Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Merja Penttilä
- Devision of Industrial Biotechnology and Food Solutions, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Kaarina Sivonen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Hanne Skomedal
- Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, NIBIO, Ås, Norway
| | - Jorunn Skjermo
- Department of Fisheries and New Biomarine Industry, SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway
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