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Liu H, Yu S, Liu B, Xiang S, Jiang M, Yang F, Tan W, Zhou J, Xiao M, Li X, Richardson JJ, Lin W, Zhou J. Space-Efficient 3D Microalgae Farming with Optimized Resource Utilization for Regenerative Food. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401172. [PMID: 38483347 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401172] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Photosynthetic microalgae produce valuable metabolites and are a source of sustainable food that supports life without compromising arable land. However, the light self-shading, excessive water supply, and insufficient space utilization in microalgae farming have limited its potential in the inland areas most in need of regenerative food solutions. Herein, this work develops a 3D polysaccharide-based hydrogel scaffold for vertically farming microalgae without needing liquid media. This liquid-free strategy is compatible with diverse microalgal species and enables the design of living microalgal frameworks with customizable architectures that enhance light and water utilization. This approach significantly increases microalgae yield per unit water consumption, with an 8.8-fold increase compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, the dehydrated hydrogels demonstrate a reduced size and weight (≈70% reduction), but readily recover their vitality upon rehydration. Importantly, valuable natural products can be produced in this system including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and carotenoids. This study streamlines microalgae regenerative farming for low-carbon biomanufacturing by minimizing light self-shading, relieving water supply, and reducing physical footprints, and democratizing access to efficient aquatic food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Liu
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Siqin Yu
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Health, Institute for Advanced Study, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shuhong Xiang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Minwen Jiang
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Weiwei Tan
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Jianfei Zhou
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Research Institute of Leather and Footwear Industry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Health, Institute for Advanced Study, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Joseph J Richardson
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Wei Lin
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Jiajing Zhou
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Research Institute of Leather and Footwear Industry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325000, China
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Chen S, Li X, Ma X, Qing R, Chen Y, Zhou H, Yu Y, Li J, Tan Z. Lighting the way to sustainable development: Physiological response and light control strategy in microalgae-based wastewater treatment under illumination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166298. [PMID: 37591393 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals link pollutant control with carbon dioxide reduction. Toward the goal of pollutant and carbon reduction, microalgae-based wastewater treatment (MBWT), which can simultaneously remove pollutants and convert carbon dioxide into biomass with value-added metabolites, has attracted considerable attention. The photosynthetic organism microalgae and the photobioreactor are the functional body and the operational carrier of the MBWT system, respectively; thus, light conditions profoundly influence its performance. Therefore, this review takes the general rules of how light influences the performance of MBWT systems as a starting point to elaborate the light-influenced mechanisms in microalgae and the light control strategies for photobioreactors from the inside out. Wavelength, light intensity and photoperiod solely or interactively affect biomass accumulation, pollutant removal, and value-added metabolite production in MBWT. Physiological processes, including photosynthesis, photooxidative damage, light-regulated gene expression, and nutrient uptake, essentially explain the performance influence of MBWT and are instructive for specific microalgal strain improvement strategies. In addition, light causes unique reactions in MBWT systems as it interacts with components such as photooxidative damage enhancers present in types of wastewater. In order to provide guidance for photobioreactor design and light control in a large-scale MBWT system, wavelength transformation, light transmission, light source distribution, and light-dark cycle should be considered in addition to adjusting the light source characteristics. Finally, based on current research vacancies and challenges, future research orientation should focus on the improvement of microalgae and photobioreactor, as well as the integration of both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangxian Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
| | - Xin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Xinlei Ma
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Renwei Qing
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
| | - Yangwu Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Houzhen Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yadan Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Junjie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Zhouliang Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Acclimation and Compensating Metabolite Responses to UV-B Radiation in Natural and Transgenic Populus spp. Defective in Lignin Biosynthesis. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12080767. [PMID: 36005639 PMCID: PMC9414806 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080767] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants have evolved to protect leaf mesophyll tissue from damage caused by UV-B radiation by producing an array of UV-absorbing secondary metabolites. Flavonoids (phenolic glycosides) and sinapate esters (hydroxycinnamates) have been implicated as UV-B protective compounds because of the accumulation in the leaf epidermis and the strong absorption in the wavelengths corresponding to UV. Environmental adaptations by plants also generate a suite of responses for protection against damage caused by UV-B radiation, with plants from high elevations or low latitudes generally displaying greater adaptation or tolerance to UV-B radiation. In an effort to explore the relationships between plant lignin levels and composition, the origin of growth elevation, and the hierarchical synthesis of UV-screening compounds, a collection of natural variants as well as transgenic Populus spp. were examined for sensitivity or acclimation to UV-B radiation under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. Noninvasive, ecophysiological measurements using epidermal transmittance and chlorophyll fluorescence as well as metabolite measurements using UPLC-MS generally revealed that the synthesis of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lignin precursors are increased in Populus upon moderate to high UV-B treatment. However, poplar plants with genetic modifications that affect lignin biosynthesis, or natural variants with altered lignin levels and compositions, displayed complex changes in phenylpropanoid metabolites. A balance between elevated metabolic precursors to protective phenylpropanoids and increased biosynthesis of these anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lignin is proposed to play a role in the acclimation of Populus to UV-B radiation and may provide a useful tool in engineering plants as improved bioenergy feedstocks.
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Singh V, Mishra V. A review on the current application of light-emitting diodes for microalgae cultivation and its fiscal analysis. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022:1-15. [PMID: 35658771 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2057274] [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: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are the promising source of products having a low and high economic value that include feedstock and vitamin supplements. Presently, their cultivation is being carried out by using sunlight in the open raceway ponds. However, this process has disadvantages like fluctuations in irradiance of the sunlight due to climatic changes and bad weather. Artificial lights, exploiting light-emitting diodes are beneficial in increasing the volumetric productivity of the microalgal biomass as it provides continuous illumination in the photobioreactors and assist in the external and internal design. However, the application of light-emitting diodes accrues high input costs. Though the cost of light-emitting diodes was estimated long ago, there is no recent economic analysis of the same. This study aims to enlist the applications of light-emitting diodes in microalgal cultivation with reference to internally illuminated photobioreactors coupled with the evaluation of the cost and energy balance of the artificial lights. The calculation shows that the electrical energy cost incurred during the application of light-emitting diodes for microalgae cultivation is approximately USD 15.19 kg-1 DW. The collective fraction of electrical energy transformed into chemical energy (microalgae biomass) is around 6-8%. The cost of the light-emitting diodes can be decreased by the application of an Arduino-based automated control system to control the power supply to LEDs, photovoltaic powered photobioreactors and additional light. These techniques of input cost reduction have also been explored deeply in the present study. As estimated, they can reduce the cost of light-emitting diodes by 50%.HighlightsDiscussion on the current application of light-emitting diodes for microalgae cultivationA broad discussion on internally illuminated photobioreactors and their modificationsMicroalgae cultivation cost exploiting LEDs' is around USD 15.19 kg-1 DWNet conservation of electrical energy during the cultivation process is 6-8%Photovoltaic powered PBRs and Arduino microcontrollers will decrease cultivation cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Singh
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
| | - Vishal Mishra
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
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5
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Chen J, Huang Y, Shu Y, Hu X, Wu D, Jiang H, Wang K, Liu W, Fu W. Recent Progress on Systems and Synthetic Biology of Diatoms for Improving Algal Productivity. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:908804. [PMID: 35646842 PMCID: PMC9136054 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.908804] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have drawn much attention for their potential applications as a sustainable source for developing bioactive compounds, functional foods, feeds, and biofuels. Diatoms, as one major group of microalgae with high yields and strong adaptability to the environment, have shown advantages in developing photosynthetic cell factories to produce value-added compounds, including heterologous bioactive products. However, the commercialization of diatoms has encountered several obstacles that limit the potential mass production, such as the limitation of algal productivity and low photosynthetic efficiency. In recent years, systems and synthetic biology have dramatically improved the efficiency of diatom cell factories. In this review, we discussed first the genome sequencing and genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) of diatoms. Then, approaches to optimizing photosynthetic efficiency are introduced with a focus on the enhancement of biomass productivity in diatoms. We also reviewed genome engineering technologies, including CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) gene-editing to produce bioactive compounds in diatoms. Finally, we summarized the recent progress on the diatom cell factory for producing heterologous compounds through genome engineering to introduce foreign genes into host diatoms. This review also pinpointed the bottlenecks in algal engineering development and provided critical insights into the future direction of algal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Chen
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Huang
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuexuan Shu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyue Hu
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangjin Jiang
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- *Correspondence: Weiqi Fu,
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Shen L, Lou R, Yin X. Asymmetrical interface design for unidirectional light extraction from spectrum conversion films. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:4642-4654. [PMID: 35209696 DOI: 10.1364/oe.449835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we propose a micro-sized photonic structure that extracts 89% of the intrinsic trapped photons from the spectrum conversion film into free space using the Monte-Carlo ray-tracing method. Furthermore, the spectrum of the spectral-shifting film can be accurately simulated based on a mean free path concept, providing the estimation of its overall performance including the external quantum efficiency and the self-absorption efficiency. The simulations show that the spectrum conversion film with micro-structures shows a two-fold increase in the total external quantum efficiency and a four-fold increase in the external quantum efficiency in the forward viewing direction compared to the planar spectrum conversion films without micro-structures.
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7
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Kilbane JJ. Shining a Light on Wastewater Treatment with Microalgae. ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022; 47:45-56. [PMID: 35036288 PMCID: PMC8752175 DOI: 10.1007/s13369-021-06444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae can produce biofuels, nutriceuticals, pigments and many other products, but commercialization has been limited by the cost of growing, harvesting and processing algal biomass. Nutrients, chiefly nitrogen and phosphorus, are a key cost for growing microalgae, but these nutrients are present in abundance in municipal wastewater where they pose environmental problems if not removed. This is not a traditional review article; rather, it is a fact-based set of suggestions that will have to be investigated by scientists and engineers. It is suggested that if microalgae were grown as biofilms rather than as planktonic cells, and if internal illumination rather than external illumination were employed, then the use of microalgae may provide useful improvements to the wastewater treatment process. The use of microalgae to remove nutrients from wastewater has been demonstrated, but has not yet been widely implemented due to cost, and because microalgae derived from wastewater treatment has not yet been demonstrated as a commercial source for value-added products. Future facilities are likely to be called Municipal Resource Recovery Facilities as wastewater will increasingly be viewed as a resource for water, biofuels, fertilizer, monitoring public health and value-added products. Advances in photonics will accelerate this transition.
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8
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Fu W, Dohai B, El Assal DC, Daakour S, Alzahmi A, Nelson DR, Jaiswal A, Mystikou A, Sultana M, Weston J, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Protocol to generate and characterize biofouling transformants of a model marine diatom. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100716. [PMID: 34401782 PMCID: PMC8353343 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100716] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are a major group of microalgae that initiate biofouling by surface colonization of human-made underwater structures; however, the involved regulatory pathways remain uncharacterized. Here, we describe a protocol for identifying and validating regulatory genes involved in the morphology shift of the model diatom species Phaeodactylum tricornutum during surface colonization. We also provide a workflow for characterizing biofouling transformants. By using this protocol, gene targets such as GPCR signaling genes could be identified and manipulated to turn off diatom biofouling. For complete information on the generation and use of this protocol, please refer to Fu et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Department of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 316021, China.,Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik 101, Iceland
| | - Bushra Dohai
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Diana Charles El Assal
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Amnah Alzahmi
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, UAE
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Ashish Jaiswal
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mehar Sultana
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - James Weston
- Core Technology Platforms, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Zhang Z, Han Q, Liu S, Wang Z, Hu M, Domnic SMW, Lau R, Xing B. Recomposition and storage of sunlight with intelligent phosphors for enhanced photosynthesis. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:11025-11029. [PMID: 34370806 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt02207e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This work presents a smart solar energy regulation strategy using photon tunable long persistent phosphors as solar energy harvesting antennas to enhance overall sunlight utilization by photosynthetic organisms in multiple modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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10
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Microalgae with a truncated light-harvesting antenna to maximize photosynthetic efficiency and biomass productivity: Recent advances and current challenges. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Incorporating a molecular antenna in diatom microalgae cells enhances photosynthesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5209. [PMID: 33664413 PMCID: PMC7933240 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84690-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatom microalgae have great industrial potential as next-generation sources of biomaterials and biofuels. Effective scale-up of their production can be pursued by enhancing the efficiency of their photosynthetic process in a way that increases the solar-to-biomass conversion yield. A proof-of-concept demonstration is given of the possibility of enhancing the light absorption of algae and of increasing their efficiency in photosynthesis by in vivo incorporation of an organic dye which acts as an antenna and enhances cells’ growth and biomass production without resorting to genetic modification. A molecular dye (Cy5) is incorporated in Thalassiosira weissflogii diatom cells by simply adding it to the culture medium and thus filling the orange gap that limits their absorption of sunlight. Cy5 enhances diatoms’ photosynthetic oxygen production and cell density by 49% and 40%, respectively. Cy5 incorporation also increases by 12% the algal lipid free fatty acid (FFA) production versus the pristine cell culture, thus representing a suitable way to enhance biofuel generation from algal species. Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from Cy5 to algal chlorophyll. The present approach lays the basis for non-genetic tailoring of diatoms’ spectral response to light harvesting, opening up new ways for their industrial valorization.
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12
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Kumar S, Cheng J, Ali Kubar A, Guo W, Song Y, Liu S, Chen S, Tian J. Orange light spectra filtered through transparent colored polyvinyl chloride sheet enhanced pigment content and growth of Arthrospira cells. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 319:124179. [PMID: 33038649 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are significantly affected by the spectra composition with various wavelengths. The development of light harvesting pigments can be controlled with specific wavelength of filtered light received by microalgae. Coverage of open raceway pond using transparent colored polyvinyl chloride sheets (PVCS) to filter light spectra, was assessed for the capacity to enhance biomass growth rate. Results showed that orange PVCS filtered light spectra at wavelengths from 480 to 665 nm, increased biomass dry weight (3.3 g/L) by 61% compared with control condition (white PVCS = 350-750 nm). Light spectra filtered through orange PVCS were more easily absorbed by the light harvesting pigment protein complex (phycobilisome) of Arthrospira platensis cells and subsequently transferred to intracellular photosynthesis reaction centers. Therefore, A. platensis cells cultivated with light spectra filtered through orange PVCS contained 62.7 mg/L chlorophyll-a and 23.5 mg/L carotenoid, which were 40% and 29% higher than control condition (with white PVCS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Ameer Ali Kubar
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Wangbiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yanmei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shuzheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shutong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jianglei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Kumar G, Shekh A, Jakhu S, Sharma Y, Kapoor R, Sharma TR. Bioengineering of Microalgae: Recent Advances, Perspectives, and Regulatory Challenges for Industrial Application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:914. [PMID: 33014997 PMCID: PMC7494788 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, due to their complex metabolic capacity, are being continuously explored for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other industrially important bioactives. However, suboptimal yield and productivity of the bioactive of interest in local and robust wild-type strains are of perennial concerns for their industrial applications. To overcome such limitations, strain improvement through genetic engineering could play a decisive role. Though the advanced tools for genetic engineering have emerged at a greater pace, they still remain underused for microalgae as compared to other microorganisms. Pertaining to this, we reviewed the progress made so far in the development of molecular tools and techniques, and their deployment for microalgae strain improvement through genetic engineering. The recent availability of genome sequences and other omics datasets form diverse microalgae species have remarkable potential to guide strategic momentum in microalgae strain improvement program. This review focuses on the recent and significant improvements in the omics resources, mutant libraries, and high throughput screening methodologies helpful to augment research in the model and non-model microalgae. Authors have also summarized the case studies on genetically engineered microalgae and highlight the opportunities and challenges that are emerging from the current progress in the application of genome-editing to facilitate microalgal strain improvement. Toward the end, the regulatory and biosafety issues in the use of genetically engineered microalgae in commercial applications are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Kumar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ajam Shekh
- Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, India
| | - Sunaina Jakhu
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Yogesh Sharma
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ritu Kapoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Tilak Raj Sharma
- Division of Crop Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India
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14
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Sethi D, Butler TO, Shuhaili F, Vaidyanathan S. Diatoms for Carbon Sequestration and Bio-Based Manufacturing. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E217. [PMID: 32785088 PMCID: PMC7464044 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Diatoms, a natural sink of atmospheric CO2, can be cultivated industrially in autotrophic and mixotrophic modes for the purpose of CO2 sequestration. In addition, the metabolic diversity exhibited by this group of photosynthetic organisms provides avenues to redirect the captured carbon into products of value. These include lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, pigments, antioxidants, exopolysaccharides, sulphated polysaccharides, and other valuable metabolites that can be produced in environmentally sustainable bio-manufacturing processes. To realize the potential of diatoms, expansion of our knowledge of carbon supply, CO2 uptake and fixation by these organisms, in conjunction with ways to enhance metabolic routing of the fixed carbon to products of value is required. In this review, current knowledge is explored, with an evaluation of the potential of diatoms for carbon capture and bio-based manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Sethi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK; (F.S.); (S.V.)
| | - Thomas O. Butler
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK; (F.S.); (S.V.)
| | - Faqih Shuhaili
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK; (F.S.); (S.V.)
- School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Seetharaman Vaidyanathan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK; (F.S.); (S.V.)
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15
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Fu W, Chaiboonchoe A, Dohai B, Sultana M, Baffour K, Alzahmi A, Weston J, Al Khairy D, Daakour S, Jaiswal A, Nelson DR, Mystikou A, Brynjolfsson S, Salehi-Ashtiani K. GPCR Genes as Activators of Surface Colonization Pathways in a Model Marine Diatom. iScience 2020; 23:101424. [PMID: 32798972 PMCID: PMC7452957 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface colonization allows diatoms, a dominant group of phytoplankton in oceans, to adapt to harsh marine environments while mediating biofoulings to human-made underwater facilities. The regulatory pathways underlying diatom surface colonization, which involves morphotype switching in some species, remain mostly unknown. Here, we describe the identification of 61 signaling genes, including G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and protein kinases, which are differentially regulated during surface colonization in the model diatom species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We show that the transformation of P. tricornutum with constructs expressing individual GPCR genes induces cells to adopt the surface colonization morphology. P. tricornutum cells transformed to express GPCR1A display 30% more resistance to UV light exposure than their non-biofouling wild-type counterparts, consistent with increased silicification of cell walls associated with the oval biofouling morphotype. Our results provide a mechanistic definition of morphological shifts during surface colonization and identify candidate target proteins for the screening of eco-friendly, anti-biofouling molecules. The model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum shifts morphology to form biofilms G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can modulate diatom surface colonization GPCR1A expression can induce biofouling morphotype and UV resistance Identified genes and pathways can serve as targets for anti-biofouling discoveries
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
| | - Amphun Chaiboonchoe
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Bushra Dohai
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mehar Sultana
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kristos Baffour
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Amnah Alzahmi
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, UAE
| | - James Weston
- Core Technology Platforms, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Dina Al Khairy
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Ashish Jaiswal
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sigurdur Brynjolfsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology (LASSB), Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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16
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Harnessing C/N balance of Chromochloris zofingiensis to overcome the potential conflict in microalgal production. Commun Biol 2020; 3:186. [PMID: 32327698 PMCID: PMC7181789 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of high-value products in microalgae is not conducive with rapid cell growth, which is the potential conflict in microalgal production. Overcoming such conflict faces numerous challenges in comprehensively understanding cell behavior and metabolism. Here, we show a fully integrated interaction between cell behavior, carbon partitioning, carbon availability and path rate of central carbon metabolism, and have practically overcome the production conflict of Chromochloris zofingiensis. We demonstrate that elevated carbon availability and active path rate of precursors are determinants for product biosynthesis, and the former exhibits a superior potential. As protein content reaches a threshold value to confer survival advantages, carbon availability becomes the major limiting factor for product biosynthesis and cell reproduction. Based on integrated interaction, regulating the C/N balance by feeding carbon source under excess light increases content of high-value products without inhibiting cell growth. Our findings provide a new orientation to achieve great productivity improvements in microalgal production.
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17
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Yi Z, Su Y, Cherek P, Nelson DR, Lin J, Rolfsson O, Wu H, Salehi-Ashtiani K, Brynjolfsson S, Fu W. Combined artificial high-silicate medium and LED illumination promote carotenoid accumulation in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:209. [PMID: 31791335 PMCID: PMC6889666 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1263-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diatoms, which can accumulate large amounts of carotenoids, are a major group of microalgae and the dominant primary producer in marine environments. Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model diatom species, acquires little silicon for its growth although silicon is known to contribute to gene regulation and play an important role in diatom intracellular metabolism. In this study, we explored the effects of artificial high-silicate medium (i.e. 3.0 mM sodium metasilicate) and LED illumination conditions on the growth rate and pigment accumulation in P. tricornutum, which is the only known species so far that can grow without silicate. It's well known that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as novel illuminants are emerging to be superior monochromatic light sources for algal cultivation with defined and efficient red and blue lights. RESULTS Firstly, we cultivated P. tricornutum in a synthetic medium supplemented with either 0.3 mM or 3.0 mM silicate. The morphology and size of diatom cells were examined: the proportion of the oval and triradiate cells decreased while the fusiform cells increased with more silicate addition in high-silicate medium; the average length of fusiform cells also slightly changed from 14.33 µm in 0.3 mM silicate medium to 12.20 µm in 3.0 mM silicate medium. Then we cultivated P. tricornutum under various intensities of red light in combination with the two different levels of silicate in the medium. Higher biomass productivity also achieved in 3.0 mM silicate medium than in 0.3 mM silicate medium under red LED light irradiation at 128 μmol/m2/s or higher light intensity. Increasing silicate reversed the down-regulation of fucoxanthin and chlorophyll a under high red-light illumination (i.e. 255 μmol/m2/s). When doubling the light intensity, fucoxanthin content decreased under red light but increased under combined red and blue (50:50) lights while chlorophyll a content reduced under both conditions. Fucoxanthin accumulation and biomass productivity increased with enhanced red and blue (50:50) lights. CONCLUSION High-silicate medium and blue light increased biomass and fucoxanthin production in P. tricornutum under high light conditions and this strategy may be beneficial for large-scale production of fucoxanthin in diatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Yi
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland.,Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Biomedical Center and Department of Anatomy, Faulty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
| | - Yixi Su
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
| | - Paulina Cherek
- Biomedical Center and Department of Anatomy, Faulty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jianping Lin
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ottar Rolfsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
| | - Hua Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sigurdur Brynjolfsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland. .,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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18
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Raeisossadati M, Moheimani NR, Parlevliet D. Red and blue luminescent solar concentrators for increasing Arthrospira platensis biomass and phycocyanin productivity in outdoor raceway ponds. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 291:121801. [PMID: 31326685 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Achieving high biomass productivity is critical for establishing a successful large-scale algal facility. Microalgae cultures in raceway ponds are normally light limited. To achieve high biomass productivity, there is a need to develop a system to deliver light into the depth of microalgal cultures in raceway ponds. We investigated red and blue luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) in outdoor raceway ponds to downgrade the sunlight, re-emit and, deliver it into the depth of Arthrospira platensis culture operated at 21 cm depth. When red LSCs were used, the biomass productivity (12.2 g m-2 d-1) and phycocyanin productivity (8.5 mg L-1 d-1) of A. platensis increased 26% and 44%, respectively. However, using blue LSCs resulted in no significant increase in A. platensis biomass productivity. Therefore, for generating same phycocyanin productivity using red LSCs, 44% less cultivation area would be required. This can lead to a significant reduction in the cost of phycocyanin production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Navid Reza Moheimani
- Algae R&D Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 6150, Australia.
| | - David Parlevliet
- School of Engineering and Information Technology, Physics and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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19
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Wondraczek L, Gründler A, Reupert A, Wondraczek K, Schmidt MA, Pohnert G, Nolte S. Biomimetic light dilution using side-emitting optical fiber for enhancing the productivity of microalgae reactors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9600. [PMID: 31270355 PMCID: PMC6610090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45955-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoautotrophic microbes present vast opportunities for sustainable lipid production, CO2 storage and green chemistry, for example, using microalgae beds to generate biofuels. A major challenge of microalgae cultivation and other photochemical reactors is the efficiency of light delivery. In order to break even on large scale, dedicated photon management will be required across all levels of reactor hierarchy – from the harvesting of light and its efficient injection and distribution inside of the reactor to the design of optical antenna and pathways of energy transfer on molecular scale. Here, we discuss a biomimetic approach for light dilution which enables homogeneous illumination of large reactor volumes with high optical density. We show that the immersion of side-emitting optical fiber within the reactor can enhance the fraction of illuminated volume by more than two orders of magnitude already at cell densities as low as ~5 104 ml−1. Using the green algae Haematococcus pluvialis as a model system, we demonstrate an increase in the rate of reproduction by up to 93%. Beyond micoralgae, the versatile properties of side-emitting fiber enable the injection and dilution of light with tailored spectral and temporal characteristics into virtually any reactor containment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lothar Wondraczek
- Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, University of Jena, Fraunhoferstrasse 6, 07743, Jena, Germany. .,Abbe Center of Photonics, University of Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 6, 07745, Jena, Germany. .,Center of Energy and Environmental Chemistry, University of Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Alexander Gründler
- Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, University of Jena, Fraunhoferstrasse 6, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Aaron Reupert
- Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, University of Jena, Fraunhoferstrasse 6, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Katrin Wondraczek
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus A Schmidt
- Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, University of Jena, Fraunhoferstrasse 6, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Abbe Center of Photonics, University of Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 6, 07745, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Georg Pohnert
- Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Jena, Humboldtstrasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Nolte
- Abbe Center of Photonics, University of Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 6, 07745, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Applied Physics, University of Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, 07745, Jena, Germany
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20
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Jaramillo-Madrid AC, Ashworth J, Fabris M, Ralph PJ. Phytosterol biosynthesis and production by diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2019; 163:46-57. [PMID: 31005802 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are abundant unicellular marine photosynthetic algae that have genetically diversified their physiology and metabolism while adapting to numerous environments. The metabolic repertoire of diatoms presents opportunities to characterise the biosynthesis and production of new and potentially valuable microalgal compounds, including sterols. Sterols of plant origin, known as phytosterols, have been studied for health benefits including demonstrated cholesterol-lowering properties. In this review we summarise sterol diversity, the unique metabolic features of sterol biosynthesis in diatoms, and prospects for the extraction of diatom phytosterols in comparison to existing sources. We also review biotechnological efforts to manipulate diatom biosynthesis, including culture conditions and avenues for the rational engineering of metabolism and cellular regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin Ashworth
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia; CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, PO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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21
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Fu W, Nelson DR, Mystikou A, Daakour S, Salehi-Ashtiani K. Advances in microalgal research and engineering development. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 59:157-164. [PMID: 31252302 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have been investigated for the photosynthetic production of natural products with industrial and biomedical applications. Their rapid growth offers an advantage over higher plants, while their complex metabolic capacities allow for the production of various molecules. Despite their potentials, molecular techniques are underdeveloped in microalgae compared to higher plants, fungi, and bacteria. However, recent advances in genome sequencing, strain development, and genome editing technologies, are providing thrust to enhance research on microalgal species that have branched out from several focal model organisms to encompass a great diversity of species. In this review, we highlight the recent, significant advances in microalgal research, with a focus on the development of new resources that can enhance work on model and non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - David R Nelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alexandra Mystikou
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Laboratory of Algal, Systems, and Synthetic Biology, Division of Science and Math, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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22
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Fu W, Gudmundsson S, Wichuk K, Palsson S, Palsson BO, Salehi-Ashtiani K, Brynjólfsson S. Sugar-stimulated CO 2 sequestration by the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:275-283. [PMID: 30445327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To convert waste CO2 from flue gases of power plants into value-added products, bio-mitigation technologies show promise. In this study, we cultivated a fast-growing species of green microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, in different sizes of photobioreactors (PBRs) and developed a strategy using small doses of sugars for enhancing CO2 sequestration under light-emitting diode illumination. Glucose supplementation at low levels resulted in an increase of photoautotrophic growth-driven biomass generation as well as CO2 capture by 10% and its enhancement corresponded to an increase of supplied photon flux. The utilization of urea instead of nitrate as the sole nitrogen source increased photoautotrophic growth by 14%, but change of nitrogen source didn't compromise glucose-induced enhancement of photoautotrophic growth. The optimized biomass productivity achieved was 30.4% higher than the initial productivity of purely photoautotrophic culture. The major pigments in the obtained algal biomass were found comparable to its photoautotrophic counterpart and a high neutral lipids productivity of 516.6 mg/(L·day) was achieved after optimization. A techno-economic model was also developed, indicating that LED-based PBRs represent a feasible strategy for converting CO2 into value-added algal biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Fu
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Division of Science and Math, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Steinn Gudmundsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Kristine Wichuk
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Sirus Palsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Bernhard O Palsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
- Division of Science and Math, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sigurður Brynjólfsson
- Center for Systems Biology and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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23
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Chemical Mutagenesis and Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Screening for Enhanced Accumulation of Carotenoids in a Model Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16080272. [PMID: 30081564 PMCID: PMC6117690 DOI: 10.3390/md16080272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are a major group of unicellular algae that are rich in lipids and carotenoids. However, sustained research efforts are needed to improve the strain performance for high product yields towards commercialization. In this study, we generated a number of mutants of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a cosmopolitan species that has also been found in Nordic region, using the chemical mutagens ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG). We found that both chlorophyll a and neutral lipids had a significant correlation with carotenoid content and these correlations were better during exponential growth than in the stationary growth phase. Then, we studied P. tricornutum common metabolic pathways and analyzed correlated enzymatic reactions between fucoxanthin synthesis and pigmentation or lipid metabolism through a genome-scale metabolic model. The integration of the computational results with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data revealed key compounds underlying the correlative metabolic pathways. Approximately 1000 strains were screened using fluorescence-based high-throughput method and five mutants selected had 33% or higher total carotenoids than the wild type, in which four strains remained stable in the long term and the top mutant exhibited an increase of 69.3% in fucoxanthin content compared to the wild type. The platform described in this study may be applied to the screening of other high performing diatom strains for industrial applications.
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