Diatoms for Carbon Sequestration and Bio-Based Manufacturing

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Diatoms, a natural sink of atmospheric CO2, can be cultivated industrially in autotrophic and mixotrophic modes for the purpose of CO2 sequestration. In addition, the metabolic diversity exhibited by this group of photosynthetic organisms provides avenues to redirect the captured carbon into products of value. These include lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, pigments, antioxidants, exopolysaccharides, sulphated polysaccharides, and other valuable metabolites that can be produced in environmentally sustainable bio-manufacturing processes. To realize the potential of diatoms, expansion of our knowledge of carbon supply, CO2 uptake and fixation by these organisms, in conjunction with ways to enhance metabolic routing of the fixed carbon to products of value is required. In this review, current knowledge is explored, with an evaluation of the potential of diatoms for carbon capture and bio-based manufacturing.

Towards a Phaeodactylum tricornutum biorefinery in an outdoor UK environment

“…It has previously been shown that biomass productivities up to 146 tons dry cell weight (dcw) ha −1 y −1 in small scale cultivations and 60-75 tons dcw ha −1 y −1 in mass cultivations are possible (Sethi et al, 2020). It is important in the Microalgae Biotechnology sector to develop novel species/strains and production platforms.…”

Media engineering in marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum employing cost‐effective substrates for sustainable production of high‐value renewables

“…[ 7,30,31,54,60 ] Moreover, reports have highlighted optimal conditions for EPA and fucoxanthin production in P. tricornutum ; using different irradiances [ 8,30 ] and CO 2 concentrations. [ 61–64 ] The overall conclusion from these studies highlights that at lower light intensities (30–60 μmol m −2 s −1 ), optimal temperature, that is, 24°C, 1% CO 2 , 20% salinity, and higher nitrate concentrations (NaNO 3 – 300 mg L −1 ) leading to improved EPA and fucoxanthin yields. Such studies provide insights for testing similar combinations in mixotrophy for large‐scale diatom farming.…”

Вспышки Численности Диатомовых Водорослей В Неогеновых Озерах Приморского Края: Причины И Последствия

“…содержания углерода в атмосфере Так как диатомовые водоросли являются фотосинтезирующими организмами, несомненно, немаловажное значение для их развития имеет концентрация двуокиси углерода в атмосфере Земли. Они считаются биогеохимически значимой группой фитопланктона, которая вносит значительный вклад в естественное поглощение углерода (Armbrust, 2009), и предлагаются даже как возможное решение проблемы повышения уровня CO 2 в атмосфере (Sethi et al, 2020).…”