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Cited by 154Algal biology and biofuel productionAquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton DynamicsMarine and coastal ecosystems

Variables Governing Photosynthesis and Growth in Microalgae Mass Cultures

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Masojídek, Jiří, Ranglová, Karolína, Lakatos, Gergely Ernö, Silva Benavides, Ana Margarita, Torzillo, Giuseppe·2021·Processes
DOI 10.3390/pr9050820
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Abstract

Since the 1950s, microalgae have been grown commercially in man-made cultivation units and used for biomass production as a source of food and feed supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lately biofuels, as well as a means for wastewater treatment and mitigation of atmospheric CO2 build-up. In this work, photosynthesis and growth affecting variables—light intensity, pH, CO2/O2 exchange, nutrient supply, culture turbulence, light/dark cell cycling, biomass density and culture depth (light path)—are reviewed as concerns in microalgae mass cultures. Various photosynthesis monitoring techniques were employed to study photosynthetic performance to optimize the growth of microalgae strains in outdoor cultivation units. The most operative and reliable techniques appeared to be fast-response ones based on chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen production monitoring, which provide analogous results.

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References 193 · Cited by 154

Research works printed but not linked: 22

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Authors
Masojídek, J., Ranglová, K., Lakatos, G. E., Silva Benavides, A. M., & Torzillo, G.
Affiliations
  • University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (CZ)
  • Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology (CZ)
  • CIMAR—Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro 2060, Costa Rica
  • National Research Council (IT)
Corresponding author
Masojídek, Jiří
ORCID
Venue
Processes
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-05-08
Volume
9
Issue
5
Pages
820
ISSN
2227-9717 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/pr9050820
OpenAlex
W3162182421
Cited by
154
References
193
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 2
FWCI
4.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Processes (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Repositorio de Patentes de la Universidad de Almería (Universidad de Almería) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (727874)
  • European Regional Development Fund - InterReg V-A (ATCZ221)
  • International mobility MSCA-IF III (CZ.02.2.6910.0/0.0/19_074/0014484)
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
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine and coastal ecosystems
Keywords
microalgae cultivation, photosynthesis, microalgae growth, light intensity, pH, nutrient supply, biomass density, culture depth, chlorophyll fluorescence, biofuels, wastewater treatment, CO2 emission reduction

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