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Chen M, Chen Y, Zhang Q. Assessing global carbon sequestration and bioenergy potential from microalgae cultivation on marginal lands leveraging machine learning. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174462. [PMID: 38992374 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174462] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive study unveils the vast global potential of microalgae as a sustainable bioenergy source, focusing on the utilization of marginal lands and employing advanced machine learning techniques to predict biomass productivity. By identifying approximately 7.37 million square kilometers of marginal lands suitable for microalgae cultivation, this research uncovers the extensive potential of these underutilized areas, particularly within equatorial and low-latitude regions, for microalgae bioenergy development. This approach mitigates the competition for food resources and conserves freshwater supplies. Utilizing cutting-edge machine learning algorithms based on robust datasets from global microalgae cultivation experiments spanning 1994 to 2017, this study integrates essential environmental variables to map out a detailed projection of potential yields across a variety of landscapes. The analysis further delineates the bioenergy and carbon sequestration potential across two effective cultivation methods: Photobioreactors (PBRs), and Open Ponds, with PBRs showcasing exceptional productivity, with a global average daily biomass productivity of 142.81mgL-1d-1, followed by Open Ponds at 122.57mgL-1d-1. Projections based on optimal PBR conditions suggest an annual yield of 99.54 gigatons of microalgae biomass. This yield can be transformed into 64.70 gigatons of biodiesel, equivalent to 58.68 gigatons of traditional diesel, while sequestering 182.16 gigatons of CO2, equating to approximately 4.5 times the global CO2 emissions projected for 2023. Notably, Australia leads in microalgae biomass production, with an annual output of 16.19 gigatons, followed by significant contributions from Kazakhstan, Sudan, Brazil, the United States, and China, showcasing the diverse global potential for microalgae bioenergy across varying ecological and geographical landscapes. Through this rigorous investigation, the study emphasizes the strategic importance of microalgae cultivation in achieving sustainable energy solutions and mitigating climate change, while also acknowledging the scalability challenges and the necessity for significant economic and energy investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Chen
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, MA, 02138 Cambridge, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139 Cambridge, USA
| | - Yixuan Chen
- Hydrological Bureau of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510145, China
| | - Qingtao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Marine Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, China.
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Adamu Ugya Y, Chen H, Sheng Y, Ajibade FO, Wang Q. A review of microalgae biofilm as an eco-friendly approach to bioplastics, promoting environmental sustainability. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116833. [PMID: 37543134 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
In this comprehensive review, we delve into the challenges hindering the large-scale production of microalgae-based bioplastics, primarily focusing on economic feasibility and bioplastic quality. To address these issues, we explore the potential of microalgae biofilm cultivation as a sustainable and highly viable approach for bioplastic production. We present a proposed method for producing bioplastics using microalgae biofilm and evaluate its environmental impact using various tools such as life cycle analysis (LCA), ecological footprint analysis, resource flow analysis, and resource accounting. While pilot-scale and large-scale LCA data are limited, we utilize alternative indicators such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint, materials management, and community acceptance to predict the environmental implications of commercializing microalgae biofilm-based bioplastics. The findings of this study indicate that utilizing microalgae biofilm for bioplastic production offers significant environmental sustainability benefits. The system exhibits low energy requirements and a minimal carbon footprint. Moreover, it has the potential to address the issue of wastewater by utilizing it as a carbon source, thereby mitigating associated problems. However, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations associated with the method proposed in this review. Further research is needed to explore and engineer precise techniques for manipulating microalgae biofilm structure to optimize the accumulation of desired metabolites. This could involve employing chemical triggers, metabolic engineering, and genetic engineering to achieve the intended goals. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of microalgae biofilm as a viable and sustainable solution for bioplastic production. While acknowledging the advantages, it also emphasizes the need for continued synthetic studies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of this approach. By addressing the identified drawbacks and maximizing the utilization of advanced techniques, we can further harness the potential of microalgae biofilm in contributing to a more environmentally friendly and economically feasible bioplastic industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunusa Adamu Ugya
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng, China; Department of Environmental Management, Kaduna State University, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangyang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fidelis Odedishemi Ajibade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, PMB 704, Nigeria
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
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Kanna Dasan Y, Lam MK, Chai YH, Lim JW, Ho YC, Tan IS, Lau SY, Show PL, Lee KT. Unlocking the potential of microalgae bio-factories for carbon dioxide mitigation: A comprehensive exploration of recent advances, key challenges, and energy-economic insights. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 380:129094. [PMID: 37100295 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are promising alternatives to mitigate atmospheric CO2 owing to their fast growth rates, resilience in the face of adversity and ability to produce a wide range of products, including food, feed supplements, chemicals, and biofuels. However, to fully harness the potential of microalgae-based carbon capture technology, further advancements are required to overcome the associated challenges and limitations, particularly with regards to enhancing CO2 solubility in the culture medium. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the biological carbon concentrating mechanism and highlights the current approaches, including species selection, optimization of hydrodynamics, and abiotic components, aimed at improving the efficacy of CO2 solubility and biofixation. Moreover, cutting-edge strategies such as gene mutation, bubble dynamics and nanotechnology are systematically outlined to elevate the CO2 biofixation capacity of microalgal cells. The review also evaluates the energy and economic feasibility of using microalgae for CO2 bio-mitigation, including challenges and prospects for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaleeni Kanna Dasan
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Man Kee Lam
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
| | - Yee Ho Chai
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Jun Wei Lim
- HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; Fundamental and Applied Sciences Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Yeek Chia Ho
- Centre for Urban Resource Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Inn Shi Tan
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Sie Yon Lau
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, India
| | - Keat Teong Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Penang, Nibong Tebal 14300, Malaysia
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Wang F, Yang R, Guo Y, Zhang C. Isolation, Characterization and Immunomodulatory Activity Evaluation of Chrysolaminarin from the Filamentous Microalga Tribonema aequale. Mar Drugs 2022; 21:md21010013. [PMID: 36662186 PMCID: PMC9861882 DOI: 10.3390/md21010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in the accumulation capacity of chrysolaminarin among six Tribonema species and to isolate this polysaccharide for immunomodulatory activity evaluation. The results showed that T. aequale was the most productive strain with the highest content and productivity of chrysolaminarin, which were 17.20% (% of dry weight) and 50.91 mg/L/d, respectively. Chrysolaminarin was then extracted and isolated from this alga, and its monosaccharide composition was mainly composed of a glucose (61.39%), linked by β-D-(1→3) (main chain) and β-D-(1→6) (branch chain) glycosidic bonds, with a molecular weight of less than 6 kDa. In vitro immunomodulatory assays showed that it could activate RAW264.7 cells at a certain concentration (1000 μg/mL), as evidenced by the increased phagocytic activity and upregulated mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL6, TNF-α and Nos2. Moreover, Western blot revealed that this polysaccharide stimulated the phosphorylation of p-65, p-38 and JNK in NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, these findings provide a reference for the further development and utilization of algae-based chrysolaminarin, while also offering an in-depth understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Wang
- School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Rundong Yang
- School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Yuhao Guo
- School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Chengwu Zhang
- Department of Ecology and Research Center for Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-20-8522-4366
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Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Microalgae Biofuel Production: Recent Progress, Barriers, and Limitations. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8110649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The world has heavily relied on fossil fuels for decades to supply energy demands. However, the usage of fossil fuels has been strongly correlated with impactful problems, which lead to global warming. Moreover, the excessive use of fossil fuels has led to their rapid depletion. Hence, exploring other renewable and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels is imperative. One of the most sustainable fossil fuel alternatives is biofuel. Microalgae-based biofuels are receiving the attention of researchers due to their numerous advantages compared with those obtained from other types of feedstocks. Hence, it is essential to explore the recent technologies for biofuel produced from microalgae species and define the possible challenges that might be faced during this process. Therefore, this work presents the recent advancements in biofuel production from microalgae, focusing on emerging technologies such as those using nanomaterials and genetic engineering. This review focuses on the impact of nanoparticles on the harvesting efficiency of various microalgae species and the influence of nanoparticles on biofuel production. The genetic screening performed by genome-scale mutant libraries and their high-throughput screening may assist in developing effective strategies for enhancing microalgal strains and oil production through the modification of enzymes. Furthermore, the barriers that limit the production of biofuels from microalgae are introduced. Even though microalgae-based biofuels are perceived to engage with low negative impacts on the environment, this review paper touches on several environmental issues associated with the cultivation and harvesting of microalgae species. Moreover, the economic and technical feasibility limits the production of microalgae-based biofuels.
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A Modular Chain Bioreactor Design for Fungal Productions. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7040179. [DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7040179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic bag bioreactors are single-use bioreactors, frequently used in solid culture fermentation. This study developed plastic bag bioreactors with more effective aeration conditions and particular connection elements that yield sensors, environmental control, and modular connectivity. This bioreactor system integrates the bags in a chain that circulates air and moisture through filtered connections. Within the present scope, this study also aimed to reveal that cultures in different plastic bags can be produced without affecting each other. In this direction, biomass production in the modular chain bioreactor (MCB) system developed in this study was compared to traditional bag systems. In addition, contamination experiments were carried out between the bags in the system, and it was observed that the filters in the developed system did not affect the microorganisms in different bags.
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Feng S, Kang K, Salaudeen S, Ahmadi A, He QS, Hu Y. Recent Advances in Algae-Derived Biofuels and Bioactive Compounds. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c04039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shanghuan Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 3K7
| | - Kang Kang
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 3K7
| | - Shakirudeen Salaudeen
- Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4P3
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4P3
| | - Quan Sophia He
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 5E3
| | - Yulin Hu
- Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4P3
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