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Mehariya S, Das P, Thaher MI, Abdul Quadir M, Khan S, Sayadi S, Hawari AH, Verma P, Bhatia SK, Karthikeyan OP, Zuorro A, Al-Jabri H. Microalgae: A potential bioagent for treatment of emerging contaminants from domestic wastewater. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141245. [PMID: 38242513 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Water crisis around the world leads to a growing interest in emerging contaminants (ECs) that can affect human health and the environment. Research showed that thousands of compounds from domestic consumers, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), personal care products (PCPs), and pharmaceuticals active compounds (PhAcs), could be found in wastewater in concentration mostly from ng L-1 to μg L-1. However, generally, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed to remove these ECs from wastewater to their discharge levels. Scientists are looking for economically feasible biotreatment options enabling the complete removal of ECs before discharge. Microalgae cultivation in domestic wastewater is likely a feasible approach for removing emerging contaminants and simultaneously removing any residual organic nutrients. Microalgal growth rate and contaminants removal efficiency could be affected by various factors, including light intensity, CO2 addition, presence of different nutrients, etc., and these parameters could greatly help make microalgae treatment more efficient. Furthermore, the algal biomass harvests could be repurposed to produce various bulk chemicals such as sustainable aviation fuel, biofuel, bioplastic, and biochar; this could significantly enhance the economic viability. Therefore, this review summarizes the microalgae-based bioprocess and their mechanisms for removing different ECs from different wastewaters and highlights the different strategies to improve the ECs removal efficiency. Furthermore, this review shows the role of different ECs in biomass profile and the relevance of using ECs-treated microalgae biomass to produce green products, as well as highlights the challenges and future research recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeet Mehariya
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Probir Das
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Mahmoud Ibrahim Thaher
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Abdul Quadir
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shoyeb Khan
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sami Sayadi
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alaa H Hawari
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Pradeep Verma
- Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Hareb Al-Jabri
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
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Iovinella M, Palmieri M, Papa S, Auciello C, Ventura R, Lombardo F, Race M, Lubritto C, di Cicco MR, Davis SJ, Trifuoggi M, Marano A, Ciniglia C. Biosorption of rare earth elements from luminophores by G. sulphuraria (Cyanidiophytina, Rhodophyta). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117281. [PMID: 37827370 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanides are indispensable constituents of modern technologies and are often challenging to acquire from natural resources. The demand for REEs is so high that there is a clear need to develop efficient and eco-friendly recycling methods. In the present study, freeze-dried biomass of the polyextremophile Galdieria sulphuraria was employed to recover REEs from spent fluorescent lamps (FL) luminophores by pretreating the freeze-dried biomass with an acid solution to favour ion exchange and enhance the binding sites on the cell surface available for the metal ions. Lanthanides were extracted from the luminophores using sulfuric acid solutions according to standardised procedures, and the effect of biosorbent dosage (0.5-5 mg/ml) and biosorption time (5-60 min) were evaluated. The content of individual REEs in the luminophores and the resulting algal biomass were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The most abundant REE in the luminophores was yttrium (287.42 mg/g dm, 91.60% of all REEs), followed by europium (20.98 mg/g, 6.69%); cerium, gadolinium, terbium and lanthanum was in trace. The best biosorption performances were achieved after 5 min and at the lowest biosorbent dosage (0.5 mg/mL). The highest total metal amount corresponded to 41.61 mg/g dried mass, and yttrium was the most adsorbed metal (34.59 mg/g dm, 82.88%), followed by cerium (4.01 mg/g); all other metals were less than 2 mg/g. The rapidity of the biosorption process and the low biosorbent dosage required confirmed this microalga as a promising material for creating an eco-sustainable protocol for recycling REEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Iovinella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy; Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, YO10 5DD York, UK
| | - M Palmieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - S Papa
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - C Auciello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - R Ventura
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - F Lombardo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126, Naples, Italy
| | - M Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via Di Biasio, 43, 03043, Cassino, Italy
| | - C Lubritto
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - M R di Cicco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - S J Davis
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, YO10 5DD York, UK
| | - M Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126, Naples, Italy
| | - A Marano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126, Naples, Italy
| | - C Ciniglia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy; Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, YO10 5DD York, UK.
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Pleissner D, Schönfelder S, Händel N, Dalichow J, Ettinger J, Kvangarsnes K, Dauksas E, Rustad T, Cropotova J. Heterotrophic growth of Galdieria sulphuraria on residues from aquaculture and fish processing industries. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129281. [PMID: 37295476 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed at zero-waste utilization of fish processing streams for cultivation of microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria. Wastewater from a fish processing facility, slam (mix of used fish feed and faeces), and dried pellet (sediments after enzymatic hydrolysis of rainbow trout) were investigated as potential sources of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate for cultivation of G. sulphuraria. The pellet extract was found to support the growth of G. sulphuraria when appropriate diluted, at concentrations below 40 % (v/v). It was revealed that wastewater does not impact the growth negatively, however free amino nitrogen and carbon sources need to be supplied from another source. Therefore, only proteolyzed pellet extract (20 %, v/v) was selected for upscaling and a biomass concentration of 80 g L-1 (growth rate was 0.72 day-1) was achieved in a non-sterile fed-batch culture. Even though biomass was produced under non-sterile conditions no pathogens such as Salmonella sp. could be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pleissner
- Institute for Food and Environmental Research e. V., Papendorfer Weg 3, 14806 Bad Belzig, Germany; Sustainable Chemistry (Resource Efficiency), Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schönfelder
- Institute for Food and Environmental Research e. V., Papendorfer Weg 3, 14806 Bad Belzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Händel
- Institute for Food and Environmental Research e. V., Papendorfer Weg 3, 14806 Bad Belzig, Germany
| | - Julia Dalichow
- Institute for Food and Environmental Research e. V., Papendorfer Weg 3, 14806 Bad Belzig, Germany
| | - Judith Ettinger
- Institute for Food and Environmental Research e. V., Papendorfer Weg 3, 14806 Bad Belzig, Germany
| | - Kristine Kvangarsnes
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund, Larsgårdsvegen 4, 6025 Ålesund, Norway
| | - Egidijus Dauksas
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund, Larsgårdsvegen 4, 6025 Ålesund, Norway
| | - Turid Rustad
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Sem Sælandsvei 6/8, Kjemiblokk 3, 163, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Janna Cropotova
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund, Larsgårdsvegen 4, 6025 Ålesund, Norway.
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Steensma AK, Shachar-Hill Y, Walker BJ. The carbon-concentrating mechanism of the extremophilic red microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2023; 156:247-264. [PMID: 36780115 PMCID: PMC10154280 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-023-01000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cyanidioschyzon merolae is an extremophilic red microalga which grows in low-pH, high-temperature environments. The basis of C. merolae's environmental resilience is not fully characterized, including whether this alga uses a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM). To determine if C. merolae uses a CCM, we measured CO2 uptake parameters using an open-path infra-red gas analyzer and compared them to values expected in the absence of a CCM. These measurements and analysis indicated that C. merolae had the gas-exchange characteristics of a CCM-operating organism: low CO2 compensation point, high affinity for external CO2, and minimized rubisco oxygenation. The biomass δ13C of C. merolae was also consistent with a CCM. The apparent presence of a CCM in C. merolae suggests the use of an unusual mechanism for carbon concentration, as C. merolae is thought to lack a pyrenoid and gas-exchange measurements indicated that C. merolae primarily takes up inorganic carbon as carbon dioxide, rather than bicarbonate. We use homology to known CCM components to propose a model of a pH-gradient-based CCM, and we discuss how this CCM can be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Steensma
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Michigan State University - Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yair Shachar-Hill
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Berkley J Walker
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Michigan State University - Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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High-efficient removal of ammonium and co-production of protein-rich biomass from ultrahigh-NH4+ industrial wastewater by mixotrophic Galdieria sulphuraria. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.103060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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Bhatia SK, Rajesh Banu J, Singh V, Kumar G, Yang YH. Algal biomass to biohydrogen: Pretreatment, influencing factors, and conversion strategies. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 368:128332. [PMID: 36414137 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen has gained attention as an alternative source of energy because of its non-polluting nature as on combustion it produces only water. Biological methods are eco-friendly and have benefits in waste management and hydrogen production simultaneously. The use of algal biomass as feedstock in dark fermentation is advantageous because of its low lignin content, high growth rate, and carbon-fixation ability. The major bottlenecks in biohydrogen production are its low productivity and high production costs. To overcome these issues, many advances in the area of biomass pretreatment to increase sugar release, understanding of algal biomass composition, and development of fermentation strategies for the complete recovery of nutrients are ongoing. Recently, mixed substrate fermentation, multistep fermentation, and the use of nanocatalysts to improve hydrogen production have increased. This review article evaluates the current progress in algal biomass pretreatment, key factors, and possible solutions for increasing hydrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - J Rajesh Banu
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi, Thiruvarur 610005, India
| | - Vijai Singh
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana 382715, Gujarat, India
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Institute of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Box 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung-Hun Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Galdieria sulphuraria ACUF427 Freeze-Dried Biomass as Novel Biosorbent for Rare Earth Elements. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112138. [PMID: 36363730 PMCID: PMC9694017 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential components of modern technologies and are often challenging to acquire from natural resources. The demand for REEs is so high that there is a clear need to develop efficient and environmentally-friendly recycling methods. In the present study, freeze-dried cells of the extremophile Galdieria sulphuraria were employed to recover yttrium, cerium, europium, and terbium from quaternary-metal aqueous solutions. The biosorption capacity of G. sulphuraria freeze-dried algal biomass was tested at different pHs, contact times, and biosorbent dosages. All rare earths were biosorbed in a more efficient way by the lowest dose of biosorbent, at pH 4.5, within 30 min; the highest removal rate of cerium was recorded at acidic pH (2.5) and after a longer contact time, i.e., 360 min. This study confirms the potential of freeze-dried cells of G. sulphuraria as innovative ecological biosorbents in technological applications for sustainable recycling of metals from e-waste and wastewater.
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Iovinella M, Lombardo F, Ciniglia C, Palmieri M, di Cicco MR, Trifuoggi M, Race M, Manfredi C, Lubritto C, Fabbricino M, De Stefano M, Davis SJ. Bioremoval of Yttrium (III), Cerium (III), Europium (III), and Terbium (III) from Single and Quaternary Aqueous Solutions Using the Extremophile Galdieria sulphuraria (Galdieriaceae, Rhodophyta). PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11101376. [PMID: 35631801 PMCID: PMC9144214 DOI: 10.3390/plants11101376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The lanthanides are among the rare earth elements (REEs), which are indispensable constituents of modern technologies and are often challenging to acquire from natural resources. The demand for REEs is so high that there is a clear need to develop efficient and environmentally-friendly recycling methods. In the present study, living cells of the extremophile Galdieria sulphuraria were used to remove four REEs, Yttrium, Cerium, Europium, and Terbium, from single- and quaternary-metal aqueous solutions. Two different strains, SAG 107.79 and ACUF 427, were exposed to solutions buffered at pH 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5. Our data demonstrated that the removal performances were strain and pH dependent for all metal ions. At lower pH, ACUF 427 outperformed SAG 107.79 considerably. By increasing the pH of the solutions, there was a significant surge in the aqueous removal performance of both strains. The same trend was highlighted using quaternary-metal solutions, even if the quantities of metal removed were significantly lower. The present study provided the first insight into the comparative removal capacity of the Galdieria sulphuraria strains. The choice of the appropriate operational conditions such as the pH of the metal solutions is an essential step in developing efficient, rapid, and straightforward biological methods for recycling REEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Iovinella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Francesco Lombardo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.L.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Claudia Ciniglia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Maria Palmieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Maria Rosa di Cicco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.L.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Marco Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, Italy;
| | - Carla Manfredi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.L.); (M.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Carmine Lubritto
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Massimiliano Fabbricino
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy;
| | - Mario De Stefano
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta “L.Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.R.d.C.); (C.L.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Seth J. Davis
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK;
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
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A Review on the Reliability and the Readiness Level of Microalgae-Based Nutrient Recovery Technologies for Secondary Treated Effluent in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10020399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Algae-based wastewater treatment technologies are promising green technologies with huge economical potential and environmental co-benefits. However, despite the immense research, work, and achievement, no publications were found wherein these technologies have been successfully applied in an operational environment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal of secondary treated effluent in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Based on a literature review and targeted comprehensive analysis, the paper seeks to identify the main reasons for this. The reliability (considering inlet wastewater quality variations, operating conditions and process control, algae harvesting method, and produced biomass) as well as the technology readiness level for five types of reactors are discussed. The review shows that the reactors with a higher level of control over the technological parameters are more reliable but algal post-treatment harvesting and additional costs are barriers for their deployment. The least reliable systems continue to be attractive for research due to the non-complex operation and relieved expenditure costs. The rotating biofilm systems are currently undertaking serious development due to their promising features. Among the remaining research gaps and challenges for all the reactor types are the identification of the optimal algal strains, establishment of technological parameters, overcoming seasonal variations in the effluent’s quality, and biomass harvesting.
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Abiusi F, Trompetter E, Pollio A, Wijffels RH, Janssen M. Acid Tolerant and Acidophilic Microalgae: An Underexplored World of Biotechnological Opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:820907. [PMID: 35154060 PMCID: PMC8829295 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their large number and diversity, microalgae from only four genera are currently cultivated at large-scale. Three of those share common characteristics: they are cultivated mainly autotrophically and are extremophiles or tolerate “extreme conditions.” Extreme growth conditions aid in preventing contamination and predation of microalgae, therefore facilitating outdoor cultivation. In search for new extremophilic algae suitable for large-scale production, we investigated six microalgal strains able to grow at pH below 3 and belonging to four genera; Stichococcus bacillaris ACUF158, Chlamydomonas acidophila SAG 2045, and Chlamydomonas pitschmannii ACUF238, Viridiella fridericiana ACUF035 and Galdieria sulphuraria ACUF064 and ACUF074. All strains were cultivated autotrophically at light intensity of 100 and 300 μmol m−2 s−1 and pH between 1.9 and 2.9. The autotrophic biomass productivities were compared with one of the most productive microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana SAG 211-8K, grown at pH 6.8. The acid tolerant strains have their autotrophic biomass productivities reported for the first time. Mixotrophic and heterotrophic properties were investigated when possible. Five of the tested strains displayed autotrophic biomass productivities 10–39% lower than Chlorella sorokiniana but comparable with other commercially relevant neutrophilic microalgae, indicating the potential of these microalgae for autotrophic biomass production under acidic growth conditions. Two acid tolerant species, S. bacillaris and C. acidophila were able to grow mixotrophically with glucose. Chlamydomonas acidophila and the two Galdieria strains were also cultivated heterotrophically with glucose at various temperatures. Chlamydomonas acidophila failed to grow at 37°C, while G. sulphuraria ACUF64 showed a temperature optimum of 37°C and G. sulphuraria ACUF74 of 42°C. For each strain, the biomass yield on glucose decreased when cultivated above their optimal temperature. The possible biotechnological applications of our findings will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Abiusi
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Fabian Abiusi,
| | - Egbert Trompetter
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Antonino Pollio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rene H. Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Marcel Janssen
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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