Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mingxiang Qv, Dian Dai, Dongyang Liu, Qirui Wu, Chunming Tang, Shuangxi Li, Liandong Zhu
Summary: In this study, a microalgae-bacteria symbiosis (ABS) system was developed for pollutants removal by co-culturing Chlorella sorokiniana with activated sludge, and the interaction mechanism was investigated. The ABS system achieved almost complete removal of ammonia nitrogen, with removal efficiencies of 65.3% for total nitrogen and 42.6% for total phosphorus. Brevundimonas greatly promoted microalgal biomass growth and microalgae contributed to the increase in the abundance of Dokdonella and Thermomonas, facilitating nitrogen removal. The study also identified key extracellular polymeric substances for the formation of flocs by microalgae and activated sludge.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Juan Peng, Kai-Lu Cao, Si-Bo Lv, Yu-Xuan Hu, Jia Lin, Qian-Zhi Zhou, Jiang -Hai Wang
Summary: This article reviews the technology of using microalgae to remove antibiotic contaminants, including strain selection, treatment systems, and degradation mechanisms. The article points out that isolating ideal microalgae strains and developing efficient cultivation modes are crucial for improving removal efficiency. In addition, the article summarizes novel approaches to antibiotic degradation by microalgae and discusses related ecological considerations.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lisa Aditya, T. M. Indra Mahlia, Luong N. Nguyen, Hang P. Vu, Long D. Nghiem
Summary: The review discusses the diversity of microalgae and bacteria and their potential as a consortium for efficient wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery. It emphasizes the use of microalgae biomass derived from wastewater as a renewable feedstock for various applications, and highlights the interactions and characteristics of microalgae in a consortium system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew Kube, Linhua Fan, Felicity Roddick
Summary: Immobilizing algae in alginate beads enables rapid nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater. Different algae species have varying nutrient uptake capacities, with some better suited for high N:P ratio wastewater and others for low N:P ratio. Selecting the right algae species can reduce operational costs and increase nutrient removal efficiency.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anshuman Rai, Vandana Sirotiya, Megha Mourya, Mohd Jahir Khan, Ankesh Ahirwar, Anil K. Sharma, Rajeev Kawatra, Justine Marchand, Benoit Schoefs, Sunita Varjani, Vandana Vinayak
Summary: Discharge of untreated or partially treated toxic dyes from textile industries into water streams is hazardous for the environment. Conventional treatment processes generate additional environmental problems. Diatoms and microalgae have shown promise in dye remediation, with methods such as nanoporous diatoms and photosynthetic microbial fuel cells enhancing efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luong N. Nguyen, Lisa Aditya, Hang P. Vu, Abu Hasan Johir, Lucia Bennar, Peter Ralph, Ngoc B. Hoang, Jakub Zdarta, Long D. Nghiem
Summary: Algae cultivation for wastewater treatment is gaining more attention due to its ability to recover nutrients and capture CO2 in the circular economy concept. However, there are technical and economic challenges in implementing algae-based wastewater treatment due to the complexity of wastewater and algal ecological characteristics. The use of phototrophic algae in this process faces challenges in supplying CO2 and illumination. Future research should focus on improving algae growth rate, environmental tolerance, and downstream processing, as well as analyzing biomass for carbon credit assessment and economic values.
CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Pengchong Wang, Yahui Shao, Yun Geng, Rubina Mushtaq, Wenlong Yang, Mei Li, Xiuqin Sun, Hongbo Wang, Gao Chen
Summary: Secondary effluents contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, which can cause eutrophication if not treated. Microalgae have been found to effectively remove these nutrients and pollutants from wastewater, making them suitable for secondary effluent treatment.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuvaraj Ravikumar, Sirajunnisa Abdul Razack, Junhua Yun, Guoyan Zhang, Hossain M. Zabed, Xianghui Qi
Summary: The growing trend in consumption and production of food products from brewing industries has led to an increased waste discharge of contaminants into the environment. Microalgae-based bioremediation has gained significant importance in wastewater treatment, but its potential value in distillery wastewater treatment still needs to be fully exploited. Research work explores the roles of bacteria and fungi in treating organic compounds in distillery wastewater, and emphasizes strategies for phycoremediation in distillery wastewater, as well as introducing microbial fuel cells and genetically engineered microalgae for future prospect.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nadiia Khakimova, Nikola Maravic, Petar Davidovic, Dajana Blagojevic, Milena Becelic-Tomin, Jelica Simeunovic, Vesna Pesic, Zita Seres, Anamarija Mandic, Milica Pojic, Aleksandra Misan
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of using the biorefinery approach and microalgae biomass production to reduce environmental pollution in sugar beet processing factory wastewater. The findings showed that microalgae effectively removed nutrients from wastewater, suggesting that coupling microalgae cultivation and wastewater treatment has the potential to reduce contamination and provide environmental benefits.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuai Wu, Jingmiao Zhang, Ao Xia, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: Microalgae-based technology is an environmentally friendly, low-cost, and efficient approach for treating oxytetracycline (OTC) wastewater. This study found that the growth of microalgae was promoted at OTC concentrations below 50 mg L-1, but significantly inhibited at concentrations higher than 100 mg L-1. The removal of OTC by microalgae was mainly attributed to photolysis, biodegradation, biosorption, and hydrolysis. The study confirms that microalgae can be an excellent technology for treating antibiotics wastewater while accumulating microalgae biomass.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizandro Oliveira Silveira, Nathalia Mendes Felizzola, Eugenia Vargas Hickmann, Odorico Konrad, Carlos Alexandre Lutterbeck, Enio Leandro Machado, Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues
Summary: The present study evaluated the potential for biogas generation from microalgae biomass and macrophytes used in vertical flow constructed wetlands. The results showed that this method can effectively degrade pollutants while producing usable biomass energy and biogas.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Monika Sharma, El-Sayed Salama, Peng Zhang, Lihong Zhang, Xiaohong Xing, Jianwei Yue, Zhongzhong Song, Lan Nan, Su Yujun, Xiangkai Li
Summary: This review provides an overview of the latest research progress in microalgal-assisted microbial fuel cell technology, discussing the application strategies of microalgae in MFCs, addressing major concerns, and emphasizing the importance of genetic modification strategies for enhancing the performance of microalgal-assisted MFCs.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Junjun Wang, Qinghua Tian, Weimin Zeng, Guanzhou Qiu, Li Shen
Summary: Microalgae are harvested at high cost due to their negatively charged cell surfaces and suspended systems. However, forming symbiotic fungus-microalgae mycelium spheres has proven to be an effective and green microalgae harvesting technique for industrial applications and wastewater treatment.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. Rohitha Thangam, A. Santhiya, S. R. Abinaya Sri, D. MubarakAli, S. Karthikumar, R. Shyam Kumar, N. Thajuddin, Michael Rahul Soosai, P. Varalakshmi, I. Ganesh Moorthy, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
Summary: The study utilized biorefinery approaches for the coupled process of phycoremediation and biofuel production using freshwater microalgae. Scenedesmus sp. was able to utilize various nutrients in domestic wastewater for growth, contributing to wastewater treatment and biomass production. The production included lipid and bioethanol, with various techniques such as FT-IR and GC-MS used for analysis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Van Lal Chhandama, Kumudini Belur Satyan
Summary: This study analyzes an unconventional and sustainable approach to produce biodiesel by growing Pleurastrum insigne in wastewater. The results show significant reduction in biological oxygen demand, total phosphorus content, and total nitrogen removal in the wastewater. The study demonstrates the potential of Pleurastrum insigne in wastewater treatment and biodiesel production, shedding light on cost-effective biodiesel production from microalgae and eco-friendly wastewater treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anita Santana-Sanchez, Lauri Nikkanen, Elisa Werner, Gabor Toth, Maria Ermakova, Sergey Kosourov, Julia Walter, Meilin He, Eva-Mari Aro, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: This study characterizes the phenotypic and biophysical properties of Anabaena mutants and reveals the crucial roles of Flv1A and Flv3A proteins in processes such as photosynthesis, CO2 regulation, and carbon concentrating mechanisms. Additionally, the lack of Flv3A was found to enhance H2 photoproduction by downregulating the uptake hydrogenase under both oxic and micro-oxic conditions. These findings provide insight into a novel regulatory network between the Mehler-like reaction and diazotrophic metabolism, with implications for future biotechnological applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Leon-Vaz, Juan Cubero-Cardoso, Angeles Trujillo-Reyes, Fernando G. Fermoso, Rosa Leon, Christiane Funk, Javier Vigara, Juan Urbano
Summary: In recent years, there has been growing concern over the pollution of aqueous ecosystems by heavy metals, prompting the need for better remediation techniques. This study explores the combination of a copolymer synthesized from sulfur and vegetable oils and the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana to remove heavy metals from water. Results show that the AlgaPol biofilm is capable of removing over 90% of these metals from the growth medium. The excellent metal adsorption capacity of the biofilm can be described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivan Sciscenko, Paula Garcia-Negueroles, Ana Maria Amat, Isabel Oller, Carlos Escudero-Onate, Laura Ferrando-Climent, Antonio Arques
Summary: In this work, EEM-PARAFAC was used as a low-cost tool to study the oxidation pathways of (fluoro)quinolones. The results showed the existence of photoproducts with hydroxylation or alkyl cleavages, defluorination, hydroxylation, and piperazine ring cleavage. The study also demonstrated the potential of PARAFAC to analyze contaminants of emerging concern removals in complex matrices.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sanjeet Mehariya, Martin Plohm, Piotr Jablonski, Stefan Stagge, Leif J. Jonsson, Christiane Funk
Summary: This study explores the use of biomass from four different Nordic microalgal species as a carbohydrate-rich feedstock for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production. Thermochemical pre-treatment with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid significantly increased the sugar yield. The sugar-rich hydrolysate was used as a carbon source for PHB production by Halomonas halophila, and the highest PHB production was achieved with hydrolysate from Chlorococcum sp. grown on BG-11 medium.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Jokel, Joao Salazar, Erik Chovancek, Sema Sirin, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: Current agricultural production relies heavily on synthetic pesticides, which can have negative consequences for humans and the environment. To ensure food security for the growing global population, it is necessary to develop more sustainable alternatives. Microalgae offer a diverse range of antimicrobial compounds and are considered a promising source of novel biopesticides.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Antonio Leon-Vaz, Rosa Leon, Javier Vigara, Christiane Funk
Summary: Nordic microalgae are photosynthetic organisms adapted to low temperature and varying light conditions. They have the potential for large-scale cultivation and production of high-value compounds due to their ability to withstand harsh environments. Some Nordic microalgae species have been found to produce high amounts of carotenoids and polyphenols, and exhibit improved performance under high light and cold stress conditions. Therefore, their cultivation at large scale in Nordic environments is justified.
Article
Plant Sciences
Erik Chovancek, Joao Salazar, Sema Sirin, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: This study investigated the biostimulant potential of six microalgal species from Nordic collections using two different extraction methods. The results showed that the hydrolyzed extracts obtained through thermal hydrolysis with sulfuric acid and ultrasonication, as well as bead-milling with aqueous extraction followed by centrifugation, exhibited good effects on plant root growth and photosynthetic performance.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teodor Alling, Christiane Funk, Francesco G. Gentili
Summary: Microalgal biomass has biostimulating effects on plants and seeds due to its phytohormonal content, and harnessing this effect could contribute to sustainable agriculture.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joao Salazar, Anita Santana-Sanchez, Juha Nakkila, Sema Sirin, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: Agricultural wastewaters are a significant source of pollution in nature. This study used agricultural wastewaters from a commercial hydroponic greenhouse to cultivate the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus sp. NIVA-CHL107 and assess its bioremediation ability. The results showed high removal efficiency of nutrients, significant biomass production, and the presence of valuable compounds such as proteins, carbohydrates, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The study highlights the potential of this microalga for wastewater treatment and multiple product generation in an algal biorefinery.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tuukka Leva, Ville Rissanen, Lauri Nikkanen, Vilja Siitonen, Maria Heilala, Josphat Phiri, Thaddeus C. Maloney, Sergey Kosourov, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Mikko Makela, Tekla Tammelin
Summary: To develop efficient solid-state photosynthetic cell factories for sustainable chemical production, we presented an interdisciplinary experimental toolbox to investigate and interlink the structure, operative stability, and gas transfer properties of alginate- and nanocellulose-based hydrogel matrices with entrapped cyanobacteria. The results showed that nanocellulose matrices have higher yield properties and alginate matrices possess higher rest properties due to their Ca2+-crosslinking. Additionally, porosity and rigidity of the matrices were found to be connected to their gas exchange rates over time.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vilja Siitonen, Anna Probst, Gabor Toth, Robert Kourist, Michael Schroda, Sergey Kosourov, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: Green microalgae can convert cyclohexanone into ε-caprolactone while producing hydrogen gas through photosynthesis, offering new opportunities for direct production of solar chemicals.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sindhujaa Vajravel, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Sergey Kosourov
Summary: Photosynthetic H-2 production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is hindered by O-2 inhibition and competition with the CBB cycle. Previous research found that applying a train of strong light pulses with dark periods sustained H-2 production for 24 hours. This study demonstrates that continuous low background illumination in combination with strong light pulses can sustain H-2 production for more than 10 days, leading to a 6-fold increase in H-2 yield with the addition of argon and l-cysteine.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Giovanni Davide Barone, Michal Hubacek, Lenny Malihan-Yap, Hanna C. Grimm, Lauri Nikkanen, Catarina C. Pacheco, Paula Tamagnini, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Robert Kourist
Summary: It has been found that the addition of exogenous carbon source D-glucose can accelerate NAD(P)H redox reactions and increase the activity of ene-reductase YqjM in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, leading to higher production of biofuels and catalysis in heterologous electron consuming processes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Lund, Laura T. Wey, Jouko Peltonen, Johan Bobacka, Rose-Marie Latonen, Yagut Allahverdiyeva
Summary: This study explores the use of photosynthetic microorganisms in biophotovoltaic devices for renewable energy generation. Few-layer graphene and graphene-CNC composite materials are investigated as potential electrodes, and their performance in current extraction from cyanobacteria is evaluated. The results demonstrate that these electrodes exhibit good electrochemical performance and have the potential for efficient electricity generation in biophotovoltaic systems.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)