Rapid aggregation of biofuel-producing algae by the bacterium Bacillus sp. strain RP1137
Open accessAbstract
Algal biofuels represent one of the most promising means of sustainably replacing liquid fuels. However, significant challenges remain before alga-based fuels become competitive with fossil fuels. One of the largest challenges is the ability to harvest the algae in an economical and low-energy manner. In this article, we describe the isolation of a bacterial strain, Bacillus sp. strain RP1137, which can rapidly aggregate several algae that are candidates for biofuel production, including a Nannochloropsis sp. This bacterium aggregates algae in a pH-dependent and reversible manner and retains its aggregation ability after paraformaldehyde fixation, opening the possibility for reuse of the cells. The optimal ratio of bacteria to algae is described, as is the robustness of aggregation at different salinities and temperatures. Aggregation is dependent on the presence of calcium or magnesium ions. The efficiency of aggregation of Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 is between 70 and 95% and is comparable to that obtained by other means of harvest; however, the rate of harvest is fast, with aggregates forming in 30 s.
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Powell and Hill explored this way of aggregating algae by cultivating Nannochloropsis oceanica with the bacterium Bacillus sp., reaching up to 95% efficiency, with aggregates formed in 30 s.
“Powell and Hill [124] explored this way of aggregating algae by cultivating Nannochloropsis oceanica with the bacterium Bacillus sp., reaching up to 95% efficiency, with aggregates formed in 30 s.”
From Toward the Enhancement of Microalgal Metabolite Production through Microalgae–Bacteria Consortia (2021) · cites this paper as [124]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Powell, R. J., & Hill, R. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
- ORCID
- Hill, Russell T.
- Venue
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Published
- 2013-10
- Volume
- 79
- Issue
- 19
- Pages
- 6093-6101
- ISSN
- 0099-2240 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-5336
- PMC
- PMC3811378
- OpenAlex
- W2143431609
- Cited by
- 92
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Maryland Industrial Partnerships
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Coagulation and Flocculation Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Keywords
- algal biofuels, algal harvesting, Nannochloropsis oceanica, pH-dependent aggregation, calcium and magnesium ions, salt tolerance, heat tolerance, paraformaldehyde fixation, biofuel production
- MeSH terms
- Bacillus, Calcium, Cations, Divalent, Cell Adhesion, DNA, Bacterial, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Magnesium, Molecular Sequence Data, Temperature, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Salinity, Stramenopiles
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