Maximum Photosynthetic Yield of Green Microalgae in Photobioreactors
Open accessAbstract
The biomass yield on light energy of Dunaliella tertiolecta and Chlorella sorokiniana was investigated in a 1.25- and 2.15-cm light path panel photobioreactor at constant ingoing photon flux density (930 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹). At the optimal combination of biomass density and dilution rate, equal biomass yields on light energy were observed for both light paths for both microalgae. The observed biomass yield on light energy appeared to be based on a constant intrinsic biomass yield and a constant maintenance energy requirement per gram biomass. Using the model of Pirt (New Phytol 102:3-37, 1986), a biomass yield on light energy of 0.78 and 0.75 g mol photons⁻¹ and a maintenance requirement of 0.0133 and 0.0068 mol photons g⁻¹ h⁻¹ were found for D. tertiolecta and C. sorokiniana, respectively. The observed yield decreases steeply at low light supply rates, and according to this model, this is related to the increase of the amount of useable light energy diverted to biomass maintenance. With this study, we demonstrated that the observed biomass yield on light in short light path bioreactors at high biomass densities decreases because maintenance requirements are relatively high at these conditions. All our experimental data for the two strains tested could be described by the physiological models of Pirt (New Phytol 102:3-37, 1986). Consequently, for the design of a photobioreactor, we should maintain a relatively high specific light supply rate. A process with high biomass densities and high yields at high light intensities can only be obtained in short light path photobioreactors.
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Sun-illuminated photobioreactors are sensitive to sunlight conditions during various seasons of the year, which can increase or decrease the temperature of the cultivation medium and thus directly influence biomass yield.
“Sun illuminated PBR are sensitive to sun light condition during various seasons of the year, which can increase/decrease the temperature of the cultivation medium a thus have direct influence to biomass yield (Zijffers, 2010).”
From Control system architecture for novel experimental microalgae photobioreactor Simbios (2022) · cites this paper as Zijffers, 2010
The Materials and Methods (Reactor Set-up and Control; Illumination, pages unavailable) describe fluorescent-tube illumination and reactor temperatures held constant by a controller. The Results and Discussion (Biomass Yield on Light Energy, page unavailable) address light supply and biomass yield, but do not address seasonal sunlight changing cultivation-medium temperature or its effect on yield; searches for season, sunlight and temperature found no such passage. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredCO2 capture in microalgae mass on photosynthesis occurs at a rate of 1 kg of CO2 to 0.48 kg of microalgae.
“CO2 capture in microalgae mass on photosynthesis at rate 1kg of CO2 to 0.48 kg of microalgae see (Zijffers, 2010).”
From Control system architecture for novel experimental microalgae photobioreactor Simbios (2022) · cites this paper as Zijffers, 2010
Materials and Methods (Reactor Set-up and Control; page unavailable) says carbon dioxide was added to control pH. Results and Discussion reports biomass yield per mole of photons, not per kilogram of CO2. Searches for CO2 capture, carbon-to-biomass conversion, and 0.48 found no passage supporting the stated ratio. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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- Authors
- Zijffers, J.-W. F., Schippers, K. J., Zheng, K., Janssen, M., Tramper, J., & Wijffels, R. H.
- Affiliations
- Wageningen University & Research (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Wijffels, René H.
- Venue
- Marine Biotechnology
- Published
- 2010-02-23
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 708-718
- ISSN
- 1436-2228 (ISSN-L)
- 1436-2236
- PMC
- PMC2991169
- OpenAlex
- W2030776668
- Cited by
- 137
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 4.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- Marine Biotechnology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Keywords
- Dunaliella tertiolecta, Chlorella sorokiniana, microalgae, photobioreactors, light path, maintenance energy, dilution rate, biomass density, photon flux density
- MeSH terms
- Absorption, Chlorophyta, Chlorella, Photosynthesis, Microalgae, Photobioreactors
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