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Maximizing biomass productivity and cell density of Chlorella vulgaris by using light-emitting diode-based photobioreactor
Abstract
Green microalgae have recently drawn attention as promising organisms for biofuel production; however, the question is whether they can grow sufficient biomass relative to limiting input factors to be economically feasible. We have explored this question by determining how much biomass the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris can produce in photobioreactors based on highly efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs). First, growth results were improved under the less expensive light of 660 nm LEDs, developing them in the laboratory to meet the performance levels of the traditional but more expensive 680 nm LEDs by adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). We then optimized several other key parameters, including input superficial gas velocity, CO(2) concentration, light distribution, and growth media in reference to nutrient stoichiometry. Biomass density thereby rose to approximately 20 g dry-cell-weight (gDCW) per liter (L). Since the light supply was recognized as a limiting factor, illumination was augmented by optimization at systematic level, providing for a biomass productivity of up to 2.11 gDCW/L/day, with a light yield of 0.81 gDCW/Einstein. These figures, which represent the best results ever reported, point to new dimensions in the photoautotrophic performance of microalgal cultures.
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“For example, microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris can double their biomass within 3 days under optimal conditions [80]”
From A Review of Algae-Based Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (Algae-Based CCUS) (2024) · cites this paper as [80]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Fu, W., Gudmundsson, O., Feist, A. M., Herjolfsson, G., Brynjolfsson, S., & Palsson, B. Ø.
- Affiliations
- University of Iceland (IS)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Biotechnology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-10
- Volume
- 161
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 242-249
- ISSN
- 0168-1656 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1969030450
- Cited by
- 170
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 4.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Icelandic Technology Development Fund
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes › Fluid Dynamics and Mixing
- Keywords
- Chlorella vulgaris, microalgae productivity, light-emitting diodes, adaptive laboratory evolution, superficial gas velocity, CO2 concentration, light distribution, nutrient stoichiometry, cell density, light yield, photoautotrophic growth, biofuel production
- MeSH terms
- Carbon Dioxide, Cell Count, Chlorella, Electronics, Light, Biomass, Directed Molecular Evolution, Photobioreactors
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