Light emitting diodes (LEDs) applied to microalgal production

A review of high value-added molecules production by microalgae in light of the classification.

Microalgae and cyanobacteria are some of nature's finest examples of solar energy conversion systems, effortlessly transforming inorganic carbon into complex molecules through photosynthesis. The efficiency of energy-dense hydrocarbon production by photosynthetic organisms is determined in part by the light collected by the microorganisms. Therefore, optical engineering has the potential to increase the productivity of algae cultivation systems used for industrial-scale biofuel synthesis. Herein, we explore and report emerging and promising material science and engineering innovations for augmenting microalgal photosynthesis.

/pdf/photon-management-for-augmented-photosynthesis-xxggsh0m7k.pdf

Photon management for augmented photosynthesis

Chlorophyll is a commercially important natural green pigment responsible for the absorption of light energy and its conversion into chemical energy via photosynthesis in plants and algae. This bioactive compound is widely used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Chlorophyll has been consumed for health benefits as a nutraceutical agent with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antimicrobial properties. Microalgae are photosynthesizing microorganisms which can be extracted for several high-value bioproducts in the biotechnology industry. These microorganisms are highly efficient at adapting to physicochemical variations in the local environment. This allows optimization of culture conditions for inducing microalgal growth and biomass production as well as for changing their biochemical composition. The modulation of microalgal culture under controlled conditions has been proposed to maximize chlorophyll accumulation. Strategies reported in the literature to promote the chlorophyll content in microalgae include variation in light intensity, culture agitation, and changes in temperature and nutrient availability. These factors affect chlorophyll concentration in a species-specific manner; therefore, optimization of culture conditions has become an essential requirement. This paper provides an overview of the current knowledge on the effects of key environmental factors on microalgal chlorophyll accumulation, focusing on small-scale laboratory experiments.

Impact of culture conditions on the chlorophyll content of microalgae for biotechnological applications.

Revisiting carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus metabolisms in microalgae for wastewater treatment.

Integrating micro-algae into wastewater treatment: A review

https://www.tpbin.com/Uploads/Subjects/d4923266-1582-4724-befb-4f6c4e40b514.pdf

Spectral conversion of light for enhanced microalgae growth rates and photosynthetic pigment production

Luminescent photobioreactor design for improved algal growth and photosynthetic pigment production through spectral conversion of light

This photobioreactor study investigated the influence of CO 2 aeration on biomass production, carbon dioxide fixation rate, pH, cell’s essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, as well as lipid content, whilst under a range of luminescence-modified lighting conditions. The effect of aeration with pure air (comprising 0.03% CO 2 ) on the CO 2 fixation rate was insignificant compared to the higher concentrations used. Results showed that, with the exception of blue PBR, increasing CO 2 concentrations in the air stream enhanced the fixation rate of CO 2 in C. vulgaris . Cyanobacteria cells showed significant tolerance to 15% CO 2 . The results obtained demonstrated that the combination of blue light and 15% CO 2 provided a condition in which higher rates of lipid accumulation was induced in both algal strains. The highest lipid content observed at this condition was 36.6% obtained in G. membrancea . Aeration with 15% CO 2 enhanced lipid production of G. membranacea , to at least twice the amount produced at 5% CO 2 in all photobioreactors. The most significant difference between the 5% and 15% CO 2 aeration conditions was observed in the yellow PBR, in which the lipid content was enhanced up to six times.

Seyedeh Fatemeh Mohsenpour

Papers

Integrating micro-algae into wastewater treatment: A review

Spectral conversion of light for enhanced microalgae growth rates and photosynthetic pigment production

Luminescent photobioreactor design for improved algal growth and photosynthetic pigment production through spectral conversion of light

Effect of CO2 aeration on cultivation of microalgae in luminescent photobioreactors

Effect of pot-ale enrichment on the treatment efficiency of primary settled wastewater by the microalga Chlorella vulgaris