Filamentous fungi assisted bio-flocculation: A novel alternative technique for harvesting heterotrophic and autotrophic microalgal cells

Zhou, Wenguang; Min, Min; Hu, Bing; Ma, Xiaochen; Liu, Yuhuan; Wang, Qin; Jian, Shi; Chen, Paul; Ruan, Roger

doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2013.01.030

Cited by 160 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The microalgae cells, aggregated with fungal cells, were immobilized in pellets. Results showed that pH was the key factor affecting the formation of these algae-fungal pellets, which is similar to the previous conclusion that pH served as the key factor to induce the pelletization of M. circinelloides alone [6,7]. Similar results were also obtained with three commercially interesting algal species (C. vulgaris, C. sorokiniana, and S. vacuolatus) for their compatibility with a previously uncharacterized Sordariomycete to form pellets, which the researchers claim as a symbiotic lichen structure [8].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…A previous co-pelletization study carried out by the research group did not quantify the inoculum concentration of microalgae cells used in the co-culture, but instead used 20 mL of microalgae broth for all experiments [4]. Another study on fungus-microalgae pelletization also did not mention the initial concentration of microalgae used in the co-culture [7]. It is important to note that the initial concentration of microalgae could affect the efficiency of microalgae harvesting as well as the morphology of the pellets.…”

Section: Effects Of Initial Microalgal Cell Concentration On the Co-cmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Microalgae Harvest through Fungal Pelletization—Co-Culture of Chlorella vulgaris and Aspergillus niger

Gultom

Zamalloa

2014

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microalgae harvesting is a labor-and energy-intensive process and new approaches to harvesting microalgae need to be developed in order to decrease the costs. In this study; co-cultivatation of filamentous fungus (Aspergillus niger) and microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) to form cell pellets was evaluated under different conditions, including organic carbon source (glucose; glycerol; and sodium acetate) concentration; initial concentration of fungal spores and microalgal cells and light. Results showed that 2 g/L of glucose with a 1:300 ratio of fungi to microalgae provided the best culturing conditions for the process to reach >90% of cell harvest efficiency. The results also showed that an organic carbon source was required to sustain the growth of fungi and form the cell pellets. The microalgae/fungi co-cultures at mixotrophic conditions obtained much higher total biomass than pure cultures of each individual strains; indicating the symbiotic relationship between two strains. This can benefit the microbial biofuel production in terms of cell harvest and biomass production.

show abstract

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Effects Of Initial Microalgal Cell Concentration On the Co-cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microalgae Harvest through Fungal Pelletization—Co-Culture of Chlorella vulgaris and Aspergillus niger

Gultom

Zamalloa

2014

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The use of fungi for pelletization has already been successfully applied in wastewater treatment, where they are used to entrap the sludge solids [52]. Furthermore, some fungal species were reported to have lipid contents of over 30% of total biomass, making them suitable for biodiesel feedstock along with the microalgal biomass [51]. Additionally, as the previous one, this flocculation technique does not require different cultivation conditions and allows total medium reuse without additional treatment [44].…”

Section: Auto and Bioflocculationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Symbiotically, microalgae fix CO2 and produce organic compounds, promoting fungal growth, which, in return, entrap the microalgae by hyphae production [44,51]. Fungal assisted microalgal flocculation is effective for both heterotrophic and autotrophic microalgal species.…”

Section: Auto and Bioflocculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides the reduction of harvesting costs when applying this technology, biomass and lipid yields can be significantly increased. The presence of an organic carbon source along with pH adjustment to 4.0 to 5.0 seem to favour the process (Table 4) [51]. The harvested pellets have been successfully used for municipal and animal wastewater treatment, presenting higher nutrient removal rates than free microalgal cells.…”

Section: Auto and Bioflocculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Harvesting techniques applied to microalgae: A review

Barros

Gonçalves

Simões

et al. 2015

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

814

305

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Research studies on microalgae have increased in the last decades due to the wide range of applications associated to these photosynthetic microorganisms. Microalgae are an important source of oils and other biomolecules that can be used in the production of biofuels and high-valued products. However, the use of microalgae in these green processes is still not economically viable. One of the main costs associated to microalgal production is related to the harvesting process, as it usually accounts for about 20-30% of total cost. Therefore, this review focuses on the main harvesting processes applied to microalgae, presenting the main advantages and disadvantages of each method, to allow the selection of an appropriate procedure to effectively separate microalgal biomass from the culture medium. To reduce the associated costs, it is common to harvest microalgae in a two-step separation: (i) thickening procedures, in which microalgal slurry is concentrated to about 2-7% of total suspended solids; and (ii) dewatering procedures, which result in the concentration of microalgal slurry to 15-25% of total suspended solids. Selection of the adequate harvesting methods depends on the characteristics of the target microorganism and also on the type and value of the end product.

show abstract