Work

Synthetic algal-bacteria consortia for space-efficient microalgal growth in a simple hydrogel system

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Photosynthetic microalgae are an attractive source of food, fuel, or nutraceuticals, but commercial production of microalgae is limited by low spatial efficiency. In the present study we developed a simple photosynthetic hydrogel system that cultivates the green microalga, Marinichlorella kaistiae KAS603, together with a novel strain of the bacteria, Erythrobacter sp. We tested the performance of the co-culture in the hydrogel using a combination of chlorophyll- a fluorimetry, microsensing, and bio-optical measurements. Our results showed that growth rates in algal–bacterial hydrogels were about threefold enhanced compared to hydrogels with algae alone. Chlorophyll- a fluorimetry–based light curves found that electron transport rates were enhanced about 20% for algal–bacterial hydrogels compared to algal hydrogels for intermediate irradiance levels. We also show that the living hydrogel is stable under different environmental conditions and when exposed to natural seawater. Our study provides a potential bio-inspired solution for problems that limit the space-efficient cultivation of microalgae for biotechnological applications.

Source: Journal of Applied Phycology

DOI: 10.1007/s10811-021-02528-7

Authors: Noah Martin, Tatum Bernat, Julie Dinasquet, Andrea Stofko, April Damon, Dimitri D. Deheyn, Farooq Azam, Jennifer E. Smith, Matthew P. Davey, Alison G. Smith, Silvia Vignolini, Daniel Wangpraseurt

Institutions: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, University of Cambridge, Scottish Association For Marine Science

Language: English

Topic: Algal biology and biofuel production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,280

Funders: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, European Commission, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, H2020 European Research Council

Awards: Bio-inspired photonics for enhanced microalgal photosynthesis in biofuels, Molecular basis of algal-bacterial interactions and its implications for industrial cultivation of microalgae, The growth of motile algae: from plankton blooms to biofuel production, Sym-Bionic Matter: developing symbiotic relationships for light-matter interaction, G2735239726, 18-BBSRC-NSF/BIO Focusing a quantitative lens on synthetic phototrophic communities, G3159048236, Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), G434337789, G5834381682, Bacterial Consumption of Fresh Cellular Debris from Phytoplankton, G728978277, Bacterial interaction in the oceans: Synergy among heterotrophic bacteria involved in the cycling of one-carbon compounds and its impact on the marine carbon cycle

OpenAlex ID: W3179160798

FWCI: 1.201

Cites: 72

Cited by: 49

Related to: 10