Article
Plant Sciences
Costanza Baldisserotto, Sara Demaria, Michela Arcidiacono, Elisa Bena, Pierluigi Giaco, Roberta Marchesini, Lorenzo Ferroni, Linda Benetti, Marcello Zanella, Alessio Benini, Simonetta Pancaldi
Summary: Inadequately treated urban wastewater is a major cause of aquatic ecosystem pollution. Microalgae-based technologies have emerged as efficient and environmentally friendly methods to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. This study isolated microalgae from urban wastewater and identified a Chlorella-like species for nutrient removal. The microalgae were cultivated by diluting the wastewater with tap water, and although growth and nutrient removal were not significantly affected, cell stress increased with higher concentrations of wastewater. However, this research demonstrates the potential of using microalgae for both wastewater treatment and the production of valuable compounds.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
G. I. Romero-Villegas, V. A. Burboa-Charis, E. Navarro-Lopez, M. C. Ceron-Garcia, F. G. Acien-Fernandez, M. I. Estrada-Alvarado, N. P. Rout, L. A. Cira-Chavez
Summary: This study demonstrates that Chlorella sorokiniana can produce biomass using centrate from municipal wastewater as the sole nutrient source, with the highest biomass yield achieved at 35 degrees Celsius. The microalgal strain showed tolerance to excess ammonium and achieved high productivity levels.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rehab H. Mahmoud, Zixuan Wang, Zhen He
Summary: Extracting nutrients from anaerobic digestion centrate using an electrochemical nutrient recovery cell (ENRC) can support the growth of microalgae, but it is important to control high free ammonia concentration and adjust pH to enhance microalgal growth.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Hui Cheng, Haojie Qin, Lei Liang, Yu-You Li, Jianyong Liu
Summary: This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art information on the anammox-HAP process, including its mechanism, the enhancement of anammox retention by HAP precipitation, and the upgrade of phosphorus recovery. However, challenges still exist, such as dealing with nitrogen residues and purifying the recovered HAP. To overcome these challenges, the paper proposes an AF-PD-Anammox-HAP process that combines anaerobic fermentation, partial denitrification, and anammox-HAP. This process removes organic and inorganic impurities and provides inorganic carbon for anammox bacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bruna Porto, Tania F. C. V. Silva, Ana L. Goncalves, Ana F. Esteves, Selene M. A. Guelli U. De Souza, Antonio A. U. De Souza, Jose C. M. Pires, Vitor J. P. Vilar
Summary: This study proposes a novel configuration for tubular photobioreactors (PBRs) using specific light wavelength provided by LEDs. The use of reflectors and high-energy-efficient LEDs improves light utilization efficiency and photosynthetic activity. The results show that parabolic reflectors made of higher specular reflectance materials are the most efficient systems, and a distance of 50.0 mm between absorber tubes over the reflector leads to the best compromise between specific growth rates and biomass productivities.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xiangkun Li, Changkuo Liu, Hongwei Xie, Yujie Sun, Shiwei Xu, Gaige Liu
Summary: Thermal hydrolysis (TH) pretreatment, used in anaerobic digestion (AD), has been proven effective in the laboratory and utilized in engineering. However, the properties of AD liquid (ADL), such as high organic matter and ammonia nitrogen concentration, present challenges in subsequent treatment. To overcome this, the autotrophic nitrogen removal (ANR) process is developed. This paper reviews the TH-ADP and ANR mechanisms, addresses difficulties in treating TH-ADL, evaluates current research status, and proposes potential solutions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Malgorzata Hawrot-Paw, Magdalena Sasiadek
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine optimal culture conditions for microalgae growth and biomass productivity. Suitable cultivation parameters allowed for increased growth and biomass productivity of several microalgae species. The productivity was influenced by cultivation temperature and pH for one of the species studied.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo Li, Bruce J. Godfrey, Raymond RedCorn, Zhiwu Wang, Ramesh Goel, Mari-K. H. Winkler
Summary: A one-stage continuous-flow membrane-hydrogel reactor was designed and operated for simultaneous autotrophic nitrogen and anaerobic carbon removal. The reactor demonstrated stable anaerobic COD removal and good nitrogen removal efficiency. The reactor and microbes showed the ability to adapt to low temperature and recover nitrogen removal performance and microbial abundances.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Y. Bareha, J. -P. Faucher, M. Michel, M. Houdon, C. Vaneeckhaute
Summary: Anaerobic digestion has provided new opportunities for energy and nutrient recovery from organic waste, but some organic wastes have limited usage due to their unique characteristics. This study evaluated the impact of adding deinking sludge to a co-digestion mixture on methane production and digestate quality. The results showed that deinking sludge has limited potential for solo digestion, and no significant synergies or antagonisms were found when co-digested with food waste and municipal sludge. Model simulations determined that a maximum of 22% deinking sludge can be added to achieve optimal anaerobic digestion conditions. The addition of deinking sludge also reduced nutrient and contaminants concentrations in the digestate.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaoai Lin, Longzao Luo, Zhitong Mao, Huimin Wang, Shiyu Chu, Hui Wang, Shuang Luo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different plastic particles on microalgae-based wastewater treatment technology and found that the particle size of PVC significantly affected the growth of microalgae, while PP and PET did not have a significant impact. The removal of ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus was also affected to varying degrees by different plastic particles.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Garima Srivastava, Vikas Kumar, Rahul Tiwari, Ravichandra Patil, Ajay Kalamdhad, Vaibhav Goud
Summary: The primary motivation of this study was to explore the energy potential of residual defatted microalgae biomass through anaerobic co-digestion with rice straw. The results show that co-digestion of microalgae with rice straw can significantly increase the cumulative biomethane yield, and the sludge obtained from anaerobic digestion can be reused for microalgae cultivation. Furthermore, the combination of microalgae and rice straw helps enhance energy recovery and provides a sustainable approach for the development of a microalgae-based biorefinery.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yanyan Su
Summary: Wastewater is not only a waste but also a source of energy and resources. Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is gaining attention for effectively redirecting nutrients from wastewater to biomass accumulation. Furthermore, microalgae are utilized in human consumption and animal feed due to their high nutritional value.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paraskevi Psachoulia, Sofia-Natalia Schortsianiti, Urania Lortou, Spyros Gkelis, Christos Chatzidoukas, Petros Samaras
Summary: This study evaluated the bioremediation capacity of four microalgae species for anaerobic digestion effluent rich in ammonium nitrogen. The results showed that ammonium nitrogen is preferable for microalgae growth, and the use of ADE as a cultivation medium increased the carbohydrate content in the species.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hyeonjung Yu, Dayoung Ko, Changsoo Lee
Summary: This study investigated continuous mixed-culture microalgae cultivation in photobioreactors for nutrient removal from anaerobic digestion effluents by altering NH4+-N loading rate. Results showed that both adjusting hydraulic retention time (RH) and influent NH4+-N concentration (RS) efficiently removed nutrients and cultivated microalgae at NLRs of 4-10 mg NH4+-N/L & BULL;d, with peak performance at 10 mg NH4+-N/L & BULL;d. RH achieved higher biomass yield and productivity, while RS maintained higher microalgal concentrations.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bruna Porto, Ana L. Goncalves, Ana F. Esteves, Selene M. A. Guelli U. de Souza, Antonio A. U. de Souza, Vitor J. P. Vilar, Jose C. M. Pires
Summary: This study examined the potential of using microalgae for nitrogen removal from pre-treated landfill leachate, highlighting the importance of diluting effluent to reduce toxicity and turbidity. The development of novel photobioreactors shows promise in improving light absorption and enhancing microalgal growth, indicating a potential solution for effective tertiary treatment of landfill leachates.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Ciardi, Cintia Gomez-Serrano, Maria del Mar Morales-Amaral, Gabriel Acien, Tomas Lafarga, Jose Maria Fernandez-Sevilla
Summary: The study demonstrates that pig slurry can be used as an effective nutrient source for biomass production of Scenedesmus almeriensis, with a biomass productivity rate comparable to standard growth medium. Different dilutions of pig slurry did not significantly affect microalgal growth, while ozonation was effective in reducing the chemical oxygen demand concentration of the media.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Vitor Verdelho Vieira, Jean-Paul Cadoret, F. Gabriel Acien, John Benemann
Summary: Microalgae, as the basis for an emerging worldwide industry, are facing significant challenges in contributing to the global economy, including adapting traditional industry experiences and regulations to the microalgae sector. This work presents and discusses the main issues and boundaries impacting the microalgae sector, highlighting the need for appropriate regulations and support from governments and businesses to recognize the unique attributes and potential of microalgae.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emilio Molina-Grima, Francisco Garcia-Camacho, Francisco Gabriel Acien-Fernandez, Asterio Sanchez-Miron, Maxence Plouviez, Carolina Shene, Yusuf Chisti
Summary: This paper focuses on the competitors, pathogens, and grazers that have significant impacts on the commercial cultivation of microalgae and cyanobacteria. It discusses the detection and identification of these biological contaminants, as well as operational protocols and methods for managing contamination.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Enrique Rodriguez-Miranda, Ana Sanchez-Zurano, Jose Luis Guzman, Gabriel Acien, Antonio Visioli
Summary: Irradiance and temperature are crucial variables affecting microalgae growth, especially in outdoor raceway reactors. Developing a decision-making tool to determine the influence of these variables on culture and optimize facility design and operation is of great importance.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Elisa Clagnan, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Marta Dell'Orto, Ana Sanchez-Zurano, Francisco Gabriel Acien-Fernandez, Biancamaria Pietrangeli, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: Microalgae cultivation is effective in reducing pathogens and purifying wastewater, but a comprehensive understanding of the risks is still needed. Different methods were used to explore microbial community and pathogen presence, showing that media and sampling locations have an impact on community structure and pathogenic loads. The main detected pathogens were Arcobacter and Elizabethkingia (mainly in wastewater), with a significant presence of Aeromonas in all samples. Raceways show potential as an effective biotreatment, with most retained pathogens being released in the outlet and only a small part settling in the biomass.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Elisa Clagnan, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Marta Dell'Orto, Alessia Bani, Alex J. Dumbrell, Katia Parati, Francisco Gabriel Acien-Fernandez, Agustin Portillo-Hahnefeld, Antera Martel-Quintana, Juan Luis Gomez-Pinchetti, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: This study investigated the effects of centrate and synthetic media on microalgal communities, and found that microalgal communities grown on centrate showed higher nitrogen content and richer gene composition.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Ciardi, Cintia Gomez-Serrano, Tomas Lafarga, Gabriel Acien, Bernardo Llamas, Silvia Bolado, Jose Maria Fernandez-Sevilla
Summary: In this study, water requirements during microalgae production were minimized by recirculating outlet effluents back into the reactor and simultaneously reusing the effluents while covering the reactors with plastic covers. Water recirculation negatively affected biomass productivity, but uncovered reactors reduced the water requirements. However, covering the reactors reduced biomass productivity but reduced water evaporation losses. With a recirculation percentage of 75% and plastic covers, the amount of water required was reduced by over 50%.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rebecca Nordio, Francisco Javier Delgado, Ana Sanchez-Zurano, Jose Gonzalez Hernandez, Enrique Rodriguez-Miranda, Jose Luis Guzman, Tomas Lafarga, Gabriel Acien
Summary: The present study aimed to evaluate the use of microalga Scenedesmus almeriensis for treating untreated urban wastewater. Two 12 m(3) raceway reactors, one supplemented with wastewater and the other with chemical fertilizer, were operated outdoors in a semi-continuous mode for eight months. The results showed that S. almeriensis could be produced in wastewater without affecting the photosynthetic apparatus, with an average productivity of 13 g center dot m(-2)center dot day(-1) in both systems. Moreover, the nutrient content of the wastewater, including nitrogen, phosphorous, and chemical oxygen demand, was reduced to meet European limitations, with average removal rates of 2.2, 0.2, and 3.0 g center dot m(-2)center dot day(-1) respectively. The raceway reactors demonstrated high potential for microalgal production and efficient biotreatment, proving to be robust and reliable. Additionally, an accurate model was developed to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on biomass productivity in the clean system (R-2 = 0.9, p = 0.0002).
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joseph Santhi Pechsiri, Jean-Baptiste E. Thomas, Naoufel El Bahraoui, Francisco Gabriel Acien Fernandez, Jamal Chaouki, Saad Chidami, Rodrigo Rivera Tinoco, Jose Pena Martin, Cintia Gomez, Michel Combe, Fredrik Grondahl
Summary: This study compares the environmental performance of conventional reactors and a proposed internally illuminated novel closed reactor design. The results show that the novel photobioreactor can significantly reduce impacts such as eutrophication and climate change when leveraging renewable energy sources and the photosynthesis process in urban-industrial symbiosis scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Elvira Navarro-Lopez, Juan Jose Gallardo-Rodriguez, Maria del Carmen Ceron-Garcia, Inmaculada Gallego-Lopez, Francisco Gabriel Acien-Fernandez, Emilio Molina-Grima
Summary: The effect of different parameters on the extraction of biostimulant molecules from microalgal biomass was investigated, and the optimal conditions for using organic green solvents (acetone or ethanol) were determined for maximum germination index.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jorge Garcia-Marquez, Jesus Vizcaino Antonio, Andre Barany, Alba Galafat, Gabriel Acien, Felix L. Figueroa, Javier Alarcon Francisco, Miguel Mancera Juan, Juan Antonio Martos-Sitcha, Salvador Arijo, Roberto Teofilo Abdala-Diaz
Summary: The study found that the combined administration of Chlorella fusca and ethanol-inactivated Vibrio proteolyticus significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization of the thick-lipped grey mullet, while enhancing the lipid quality and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This has potential benefits for human nutrition.
Article
Microbiology
Jorge Garcia-Marquez, Rosa Maria Rico, Francisco Gabriel Acien, Juan Miguel Mancera, Felix L. Figueroa, Antonio Jesus Vizcaino, Francisco Javier Alarcon, Miguel Angel Morinigo, Roberto Teofilo Abdala-Diaz
Summary: This study investigates the effects of a blend of microalgae on Sparus aurata juveniles. The results show that the addition of microalgae tends to decrease body lipids and affects fatty acid profile. In particular, the diet containing 25% of the microalgae blend increases DHA levels. Additionally, this diet promotes appropriate microbial diversity and influences fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism in fish.
Article
Mathematics
Pablo Otalora, Jose Luis Guzman, Manuel Berenguel, Francisco Gabriel Acien
Summary: The industrial production of microalgae is a sustainable and interesting process, especially in terms of its applications in wastewater treatment. Neural network models have been developed to optimize the process and characterize the pH dynamics in different raceway reactors. These models are able to predict pH profiles using available measurable process data and demonstrate the potential of artificial neural networks in modeling continuous dynamic systems in the industry.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jorge Garcia-Marquez, Bruna Rodrigues Moreira, Piedad Valverde-Guillen, Sofia Latorre-Redoli, Candela T. Caneda-Santiago, Gabriel Acien, Eduardo Martinez-Manzanares, Manuel Mari-Beffa, Roberto T. Abdala-Diaz
Summary: This study investigated the cytotoxic activity of ulvan polysaccharides obtained from Ulva rigida against human cancer cell lines and zebrafish embryos. The results showed that ulvan had cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines, particularly on colon cancer cells. However, ulvan also had negative effects on the growth rate and osmolar balance of zebrafish embryos, indicating that its use should be limited to specific concentrations.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jorge Garcia-Marquez, Daniel Alvarez-Torres, Isabel M. Cerezo, Marta Dominguez-Maqueda, Felix L. Figueroa, Francisco Javier Alarcon, Gabriel Acien, Eduardo Martinez-Manzanares, Roberto T. Abdala-Diaz, Julia Bejar, Salvador Arijo
Summary: This study assessed the impact of dietary green microalgae and ethanol-inactivated Vibrio proteolyticus on thick-lipped grey mullet juvenile fish. The results showed that the diet influenced the composition of intestinal microbiota without affecting its functionality. Additionally, the diet effectively regulated the transcription of stress and immune-related genes, enhancing the fish's resistance against stress and infections.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sung-Yeoul Kim, Vikash Chandra Roy, Jin-Seok Park, Byung-Soo Chun
Summary: This study aims to extract functional substances from Undaria pinnatiida sporophyll using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and subcritical water extraction (SWE). The results showed that the consecutive green extraction method can yield extracts rich in fucoxanthin and beta-carotene, and the sporophyll of Undaria pinnatiida contains health-beneficial fatty acids. Additionally, SWE can extract substances with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihypertensive activities.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2024)