The use of biomass from Monoraphidium sp. microalgae before and after lipid extraction was investigated using flash catalytic pyrolysis to generate a bio-oil with improved characteristics. The biomass was obtained from intensive outdoor crops and exhibited an attractive biochemical composition to be used in thermochemical processes with high protein and carbohydrate content remaining after lipid extraction

Research efforts have investigated a range of system designs for algae growth and conversion into biofuels. The economic feasibility and environmental impact of these systems are frequently evaluated through techno-economic analyses (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA), which typically determine the levelized cost of fuel production in gallons of gasoline equivalent (MFSP, in $-gge−1), global warming

The mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae often couples high biomass production with lipid accumulation, and thus it is considered a useful approach to obtain high quantities of added value microalgal biomass. In this study, the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana was supplied with glycerol to determine the potential of the mixotrophic alga for the accumulation of lipids. In preliminarily experiments

An integrated system for biodiesel and biogas production for the diatom Chaetoceros muelleri was evaluated. We assessed the suitability of osmotic shock pre-treatment of wet microalgal biomass for lipid extraction and biogas production. Osmotic shock pre-treatment released up to 72% of C. muelleri lipid content. Biogas production of pre-treated and lipid-spent microalgae was evaluated by biomethane

Halophilic microorganisms inhabiting hypersaline environments such as salt lakes, Dead Sea, or salt evaporation ponds, have acquired specific cell adaptation to grow within stressful conditions. In this study, we isolated heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms from several saltern ponds located at the Natural Reserve “Saline di Trapani e Paceco”, Sicily, Italy. The aim of the study was to investigate

This study evaluates the potential of thermophilic mixotrophic alga, Galdieria sulphuraria, to efficiently perform on-site treatment of landfill leachate (LL). Nutrient removal and algae growth experiments using various dilutions (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%) of actual municipal LL were carried out in a 14-day lab scale set-up. The effect of N/P mass ratio (255:1; 100:1; 50:1; 25:1; 10:1; 4.55:1) was

Microalgae are of substantial biotechnological interest due their polyphyletic nature which grants them access to a wide array of high-value metabolites. The inherent genetic diversity of microalgae combined with their metabolic plasticity when grown using different trophic and illumination strategies necessitate the establishment of a reference knowledge base. In the present study we present a detailed

Astaxanthin, which is an important metabolite with anti-oxidative property, has been discovered in some fish, shrimp, and microorganisms. Owing to the great advantages of microalgae-based astaxanthin in the aspects of sustainability and safety, microalgal astaxanthin is emerging into the limelight. In the past years, researchers isolated a couple of microalgal species and explored the synthesis pathways

Recently there has been a significant increase in the amount and frequency of seaweed blooms of the holopelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum fluitans and natans (hereafter Sargassum) in the Atlantic Ocean. These blooms impose a major burden on residents (e.g. rotting beached Sargassum, unpleasant odor, toxic gases), the local economy of countries with affected coast lines (e.g. impacting tourism and

We examined the potency of resin nanoparticles (NPs) to induce cell mortality in diverse non-green algal species (e.g., species in SAR and Hacrobia clades) and the difference in sensitivity to NPs among the species. In total, 18 non-green algal species were co-incubated with laboratory-prepared NPs (mean diameter, 180 nm) composed of poly (isobutylcyanoacrylate) resin NPs (iBCA-NPs). Exposure to 100 mg L−1

Lipid biosynthesis in microalgae can be stimulated by cultivation in low nitrogen medium. MACC-401 was isolated from the soil surface in Tres Marias (MG-Brazil). The strain shows the morphological characteristics of the Scenedesmaceae green algae. The daily biomass and lipid production of MACC-401 is remarkable, 0.36 g L−1 and 110 mg L−1, respectively. Exploration of the genetic background of this

Soil salinization and alkalization are major problems in crop production. To gain insights into the mechanisms of saline-alkaline tolerance, we investigated the molecular response of a highly stress tolerant green alga, Nannochloris sp. JB17 (JB17) to NaHCO3. Results indicated that JB17 cells retain a high level of cell viability when subjected to a high concentration (300 mM) of NaHCO3. A transcriptome

Dissolved oxygen concentration is a critical point for microalgae in large scale cultivation systems. Highly productive cultures inevitably generate a build-up of oxygen gradients along the reactor which can affect photosynthetic performance. In this study, a fast-growing strain of Chlorella vulgaris R117 was cultured outdoors in a thin-layer cascade during a one-week trial reaching a biomass productivity

Microalgae are an abundant and diverse resource that can help ease the growing pressure on the food and dietary supplements industry. Microalgae can be used either as whole biomass to increase the overall food content of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. They can be also grown to produce high levels of specific metabolites that are extracted and purified, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants

This study investigates the cellulases-catalyzed hydrolysis of newspaper waste and paper slurries as carbon source in combination with digestate from anaerobic digestion as nitrogen source for the heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana. The enzymatic hydrolysis of paper slurries resulted in a hydrolysate containing 27.2 g l−1 glucose reflecting a 78% cellulose conversion. A maximum Chlorella

Resilience and biochemical response to predicted future North Atlantic Ocean temperature conditions (+2 °C of current seasonal observations) and different light conditions were investigated in four commercially valuable macroalgae that naturally inhabit different shore levels (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, Laminaria digitata and Palmaria palmata). Increased irradiances had a positive effect

The growth and astaxanthin production of unicellular Haematococcus pluvialis is affected by both the high light and sodium acetate (NaAC) stresses. There are sparse on studies of the regulatory pathways of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes in response to high light and NaAC stresses in H. pluvialis. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was used to identify the key target genes of miRNA regulation

In view of the environmental problems associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, the potential of carbon sequestration has emerged as a research hotspot. Cyanobacteria can use solar energy and carbon dioxide to produce organic molecules bypassing the need for carbohydrate feedstock. This valuable trait has spearheaded its use in the field of bioproduction and ultimately metabolic

Microalgae represent a rich and naturally occurring source of triacylglycerol (TAG), and the microalgae-derived TAG has enormous potential in bioenergy, bio-based materials and other agricultural innovations. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of TAG. Previously our lab has reported the first GPAT in the oleaginous alga Myrmecia incisa, and in

Spanish consumers' knowledge and attitudes towards microalgae as food were assessed using a specific questionnaire - a total of 3084 Spanish consumers over 18 years old were considered in the current study. Overall, the questionnaire revealed that there is a huge lack of knowledge on basic aspects of microalgae, especially within the youngest respondents (18–24 years old) and for those aged over 65 years

In the last 20 years, we have witnessed increased interest in prospecting novel drugs from microalgae-derived bioactive metabolites. However, despite the conspicuous amount of literature about bioactivity screening of microalgal extracts, we have found few investigations focusing on the subsequent phases of the drug discovery process. We identify here the main critical aspects of the reported approaches

Microalgal lipids and fatty acids are important components for achieving biofuel because of their potential high productivity. Although fatty acids that have a hydroxy group adjacent to the end of the acyl chain might be an important chemical feedstock, most algae do not accumulate it. To produce (ω−1)-hydroxy fatty acids from 3-hydroxybutylyl-CoA, an intermediate for polyhydroxybutylate biosynthesis

In recent years, research projects and enterprises have documented that the sugar kelp, Saccharina latissima, can be successfully cultivated in Northern European waters. There is a need however, for optimizing production methods to achieve an economically viable and competitive business. A novel direct seeding method, applying juvenile sporophytes directly onto textiles immediately before deployment

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model pennate diatom for molecular studies due to its sequenced genome, genetic tractability, and capacity to produce a myriad of compounds of biotechnological interest. While tools for genetic engineering and heterologous gene expression have been developed for this species, the available set of characterised promoters remains limited. A diverse and well-understood set

Dunaliella salina is a model photosynthetic organism for studying osmoregulation. To further understand the molecular basis of short-term hyperosmotic-stress responses, gene expression was investigated by RNA-Seq of D. salina cells sampled at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min following exposure to salt and glycerol stress. De novo reconstruction of the transcriptome using Illumina paired-end reads generated

Ulva prolifera (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta), one of the main seaweeds species that cause “green tides”, suffers changes in nitrogen levels during drifting. However, the mechanisms of how this alga resist to nitrogen deficiency remains unclear. Transcripts encoding nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthase involved in nitrogen assimilation were amplified by RT-PCR, suggesting that their

Frequent microzooplankton contamination such as rotifers in Chlorella mass culture often causes devastating effects on biomass production. In this study, five surfactants were used to control contamination by a rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, in Chlorella pyrenoidosa XQ-20044 cultures. Laboratory results showed that the minimal effective concentrations of surfactants for complete control of B. calyciflorus

The drying process significantly affects the maintaining components offering the high added value of the dried biomass, mainly for the algae industry where the wet biomass is highly perishable. The main objective of this study is to compare the impact of drying processes that are often used in the food industry on phycobiliproteins from Arthrospira platensis. Although total proteins do not show a significant

Due to the adaption to environmental stress, biomasses of microalgae and cyanobacteria contain high-value pigments and phenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity to be used as ingredients for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. To expand the current state of knowledge about microalgae and cyanobacteria as sources of high-value compounds biomasses and extracts of 13 microalgal and cyanobacterial

The inclusion of new ingredients in fish feed can affect the physical quality of the pellets. In order to study the effect of the addition of microalgae on the physical properties of the pellets, 15 extruded diets were studied that included three different species of microalgae (Nannochloropsis gaditana, Tetraselmis chuii and Chlorella vulgaris) at five different inclusion levels (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and

Culturing algae with bacteria has been explored as a means of promoting algal growth and altering algal biochemical composition. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are of particular interest given their ability to produce phytohormones that are bioactive in microalgae. However, many non-plant growth promoting bacteria also promote algal growth. The objective of this study was to test the benefits

This work presents an acetic acid mediated energy-efficient process that integrates mixotrophic cultivation of extremophilic microalga Chlorella sorokiniana at the photobioreactor (macro) scale, with algal lipid accumulation at the molecular (micro) scale, and rapid biomass harvesting at the algal particle (meso) scale, followed by multiple recycling of nutrient-rich harvested broth. Chlorella sorokiniana

Recently, there has been increased interest in the use of microorganisms in the production of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and energy supply products, which is due to their rapid growth rate and ability to biosynthesize fine chemicals or biotransform specific xenobiotics. To achieve the desired scale of production and optimization of microbial cultures, it is necessary to design bioreactors that

The mixed effects of temperature (20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C), nitrate concentration (0.5 mM and 2.0 mM), pH buffer, and bicarbonate addition (trigger) on biomass growth and lipid accumulation were investigated in the environmental alga PW95 during batch experiments in standardized growth medium. PW95 was isolated from coal-bed methane production water and classified as a Chlamydomonas-like species by

The alarming consequences of the current day lifestyle practices demand the need for natural metabolites. The recent shift of people's interest in natural therapy over synthetic medicine is gaining popularity. Carotenoids are one such group of pigments produced by photosynthetic organisms that have excellent antioxidant properties. Consumption of carotenoids is recommended for specific health benefits

Iodine is an essential element necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and its deficiency is a common problem worldwide. To avoid iodine insufficiency, the intake of this element must be properly evaluated concerning its adequate intake (AI), which is estimated at 90, 150, and 200 μg per day, for children, adults, and pregnant women, respectively. One of the most abundant resources available

Poterioochromonas malhamensis is a flagellate grazer that readily contaminates Chlorella cultures and can have a devastating impact on them, especially in large-scale culture. Here, we developed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method to detect and quantify P. malhamensis from high-density Chlorella cultures. A set of primers specific to the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase

Background Microalgae are considered a promising platform for sustainable lipid production. Despite this, productivities need to be improved to facilitate an economically viable production process. This can be achieved through strain improvement, for instance by genetic engineering. Strain improvement strategies often deploy high-throughput screening platforms i.a. involving single-cell methodologies

Originally developed in bacterial and fungal models, Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) experimentally selects for targeted phenotypes by allowing cells containing beneficial random genetic mutations to replicate more quickly in the presence of environmental stress. When applied to microalgae, this technique has been used to increase growth rate, stress tolerance, substrate utilization, and product

The efficient operation of an algal photobioreactor (PBR) requires appropriate lighting conditions. Despite recent advantages in PBR design and operation, optimal lighting conditions are still not fully understood. This work focuses on the effect of light quality and culturing temperature on the algal growth kinetics and lipid content. The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was grown in batch culture

Macrocystis pyrifera gametophytes growing under controlled conditions produce juveniles with different numbers of fronds, i.e. few (≤ 2) or multiple fronds (≥ 3). We describe these morphotypes and test whether the number of fronds may impact juvenile growth by performing laboratory and field experiments. Kelp reproductive material was collected in southern Chile and 133 female gametophytes were individually