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Advances in Algal Biomass Applications
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Advances in Algal Biomass Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2021) | Viewed by 20620

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Birthe Vejby Nielsen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering and Science, Algae Biotechnology Research Group, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
Interests: anaerobic digestion; biofuels; biomass conversion; biomethane potential; mass spectrometry; biomarker identification; protein purification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microalgae and macroalgae (or seaweed) have been used by humankind for generations as food, food supplements, fertilisers, hydrocolloids, and cosmetic ingredients, and the global utilisation of algae is currently a multibillion-dollar industry. Although there have been some commercial successes, there are further extensive potential applications of both micro- and macroalgae in the food, nutraceutical, biopharmaceutical, and renewable energy industries. A vast number of various algal bioactive compounds are yet to be exploited, and challenges remain which must be overcome in order to successfully transfer laboratory-scale knowledge into industrial practices. These challenges include production costs, regulatory issues, and both upstream and downstream process optimisation. This Special Issue on “Advances in Algal Biomass Applications” seeks high-quality contributions with a focus on the latest advances in industrial and commercial applications of micro- and macroalgal biomass and on strategies involved in refining these aquatic species.

Dr. Birthe Vejby Nielsen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microalgae
  • macroalgae
  • seaweed
  • marine bioactive compounds
  • biorefineries
  • biofuel
  • algae biomass
  • pre-treatment
  • microalgal technologies
  • nutraceuticals
  • pharmaceuticals

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 171 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Advances in Algal Biomass Applications”
by Birthe Vejby Nielsen
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5698; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095698 - 5 May 2023
Viewed by 1112
Abstract
This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Algal Biomass Applications,” brings together a collection of papers covering various topics, such as the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and utilization of algal biomass, submitted by experts in these fields [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)

Research

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11 pages, 334 KiB  
Article
Effects on Cell Growth, Lipid and Biochemical Composition of Thalassiosira weissflogii (Bacillariophyceae) Cultured under Two Nitrogen Sources
by Francisco Eduardo Hernández-Sandoval, Jorge Arturo Del Ángel-Rodríguez, Erick Julian Núñez-Vázquez, Christine Johanna Band-Schmidt, Bertha Olivia Arredondo-Vega, Ángel Isidro Campa-Córdova, Manuel Moreno-Legorreta, Leyberth José Fernández-Herrera and David Javier López-Cortés
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12030961 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3041
Abstract
The protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enrichment of microalgae can improve their nutritional value for larvae of various reared organisms. Protein enrichment can be achieved by increasing nitrogen concentration and selecting nitrogen sources that are easy to assimilate during microalga culture. Nitrogen-rich [...] Read more.
The protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enrichment of microalgae can improve their nutritional value for larvae of various reared organisms. Protein enrichment can be achieved by increasing nitrogen concentration and selecting nitrogen sources that are easy to assimilate during microalga culture. Nitrogen-rich cultures can increase organism growth, biomass, and protein content, but their lipid content tends to stall. Since the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii is usually provided to feed shrimp larvae, this study evaluated its digestibility and biochemical composition, culturing it with two nitrogen sources (NaNO3 and NH4Cl) at different concentrations (111.25, 222.50, 445 and 890 µM). The cell abundance, dry-weight biomass, Chl a, proteins, carbohydrates, total lipids and essential fatty acids were determined. The cell density and biomass peaked faster (day 12) with treatment < 890 µM than with 890 µM (day 15) in both nitrogen sources. However, the highest cell density, biomass and peak protein yield were not significantly different among treatments, suggesting the need to compare maintenance costs for a given production. After nine days of culture, concentrations ≤ 222.5 µM increased lipid content irrespective of the nitrogen source and decreased by 10–20% afterwards. With higher lipid production, the dominant PUFA were eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). One gram of NH4Cl provides ~60% more nitrogen than 1 g of NaNO3. In conclusion, based on time and growth rate, T. weissflogii cultivated with NH4Cl at 222.50 µM produced EPA and DHA at a better yield–cost ratio for biomass and lipid production. Furthermore, its nutritional value as enriched live-food for the reared larvae of marine organisms suggests potential biotechnological applications for aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)
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11 pages, 3152 KiB  
Article
Greenhouse Gas Impact of Algal Bio-Crude Production for a Range of CO2 Supply Scenarios
by Pratham Arora, Ronald R. Chance, Howard Hendrix, Matthew J. Realff, Valerie M. Thomas and Yanhui Yuan
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11931; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411931 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3086
Abstract
Refined bio-crude production from hydrothermal liquefaction of algae holds the potential to replace fossil-based conventional liquid fuels. The microalgae act as natural carbon sequestrators by consuming CO2. However, this absorbed CO2 is released to the atmosphere during the combustion of [...] Read more.
Refined bio-crude production from hydrothermal liquefaction of algae holds the potential to replace fossil-based conventional liquid fuels. The microalgae act as natural carbon sequestrators by consuming CO2. However, this absorbed CO2 is released to the atmosphere during the combustion of the bio-crude. Thus, the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of refined bio-crude are linked to the production and supply of the materials involved and the process energy demands. One prominent raw material is CO2, which is the main source of carbon for algae and the subsequent products. The emissions associated with the supply of CO2 can have a considerable impact on the sustainability of the algae-based refined bio-crude production process. Furthermore, the diurnal algae growth cycle complicates the CO2 supply scenarios. Traditionally, studies have relied on CO2 supplied from existing power plants. However, there is potential for building natural gas or biomass-based power plants with the primary aim of supplying CO2 to the biorefinery. Alternately, a direct air capture (DAC) process can extract CO2 directly from the air. The life-cycle GHG emissions associated with the production of refined bio-crude through hydrothermal liquefaction of algae are presented in this study. Different CO2 supply scenarios, including existing fossil fuel power plants and purpose-built CO2 sources, are compared. The integration of the CO2 sources with the algal biorefinery is also presented. The CO2 supply from biomass-based power plants has the highest potential for GHG reduction, with a GHG footprint of −57 g CO2 eq./MJ refined bio-crude. The CO2 supply from the DAC process has a GHG footprint of 49 CO2 eq./MJ refined bio-crude, which is very similar to the scenario that considers the supply of CO2 from an existing conventional natural gas-based plant and takes credit for the carbon utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)
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21 pages, 766 KiB  
Article
Dual-Input Slope Seeking Control of Continuous Micro-Algae Cultures with Experimental Validation
by Christian Feudjio Letchindjio, Jesús Zamudio Lara, Laurent Dewasme, Héctor Hernández Escoto and Alain Vande Wouwer
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7451; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167451 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
This paper investigates the application of adaptive slope-seeking strategies to dual-input single output dynamic processes. While the classical objective of extremum seeking control is to drive a process performance index to its optimum, this paper also considers slope seeking, which allows driving the [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the application of adaptive slope-seeking strategies to dual-input single output dynamic processes. While the classical objective of extremum seeking control is to drive a process performance index to its optimum, this paper also considers slope seeking, which allows driving the performance index to a desired level (which is thus sub-optimal). Moreover, the consideration of more than one input signal allows minimizing the input energy thanks to the degrees of freedom offered by the additional inputs. The actual process is assumed to be locally approachable by a Hammerstein model, combining a nonlinear static map with a linear dynamic model. The proposed strategy is based on the interplay of three components: (i) a recursive estimation algorithm providing the model parameters and the performance index gradient, (ii) a slope generator using the static map parameter estimates to convert the performance index setpoint into slope setpoints, and (iii) an adaptive controller driving the process to the desired setpoint. The performance of the slope strategy is assessed in simulation in an application example related to lipid productivity optimization in continuous cultures of micro-algae by acting on both the incident light intensity and the dilution rate. It is also validated in experimental studies where biomass production in a continuous photo-bioreactor is targeted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)
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13 pages, 2500 KiB  
Article
Production of Chlorella vulgaris Biomass in Tubular Photobioreactors during Different Culture Conditions
by Patryk Ratomski and Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(7), 3106; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11073106 - 31 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4314
Abstract
Biomass of microalgae and the components contained in their cells can be used for the production of heat, electricity, and biofuels. The aim of the presented study was to determine the optimal conditions that will be the most favorable for the production of [...] Read more.
Biomass of microalgae and the components contained in their cells can be used for the production of heat, electricity, and biofuels. The aim of the presented study was to determine the optimal conditions that will be the most favorable for the production of large amounts of microalgae biomass intended for energy purposes. The study analyzed the effect of the type of lighting, the time of lighting culture, and the pH of the culture medium on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris biomass. The experiment was carried out in vertical tube photobioreactors in three photoperiods: 12/12, 18/6, and 24/0 h (light/dark). Two types of lighting were used in the work: high-pressure sodium light and light-emitting diode. The increase in biomass was determined by the gravimetric method, by the spectrophotometric method on the basis of chlorophyll a contained in the microalgae cells. The number of microalgae cells was also determined with the use of a hemocytometer. The optimal conditions for the production of biomass were recorded at a neutral pH, illuminating the cultures for 18 h a day. The obtained results were 546 ± 7.88 mg·L−1 dry weight under sodium lighting and 543 ± 1.92 mg·L−1 dry weight under light-emitting diode, with maximum biomass productivity of 27.08 ± 7.80 and 25.00 ± 5.1 mg·L−1∙d−1, respectively. The maximum content of chlorophyll a in cells was determined in the 12/12 h cycle and pH 6 (136 ± 14.13 mg∙m−3) under light-emitting diode and 18/6 h, pH 7 (135 ± 6.17 mg∙m−3) under sodium light, with maximum productivity of 26.34 ± 2.01 mg·m−3∙d−1 (light-emitting diode) and 24.21 ± 8.89 mg·m−3∙d−1 (sodium light). The largest number of microalgae cells (2.1 × 106) was obtained at pH 7 and photoperiod of 18/6 h under sodium light, and 12/12 h under light-emitting diode. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the determination of the optimal parameters for the growth and development of microalgae determines the production of their biomass, and such research should be carried out before starting the large-scale production process. In quantifying the biomass during cultivation, it is advantageous to use direct measurement methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)
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Review

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24 pages, 1651 KiB  
Review
Antioxidant Production in Dunaliella
by Uttam Kumer Roy, Birthe Vejby Nielsen and John James Milledge
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3959; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093959 - 27 Apr 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5891
Abstract
Microalgae have become an attractive natural source of a diverse range of biomolecules, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants; nevertheless, economically sustainable production of such compounds from microalgae biomass is still challenging. The main hurdles are: (a) increasing microalgae yield; (b) achieving optimal cultivation [...] Read more.
Microalgae have become an attractive natural source of a diverse range of biomolecules, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants; nevertheless, economically sustainable production of such compounds from microalgae biomass is still challenging. The main hurdles are: (a) increasing microalgae yield; (b) achieving optimal cultivation conditions; (c) energy-efficient and cost-effective downstream processing (extraction and purification); (d) optimal storage of post-processed antioxidant molecules. This review provides a detailed overview of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the cellular metabolism of the commercially important microalgae Dunaliella, industrial applications of antioxidant enzymes, strategies to enhanced antioxidant accumulation in cells, and the opportunities and limitations of current technologies for antioxidant enzymes production from microalgae biomass as an alternative to common microbial sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Algal Biomass Applications)
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