Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A two-stage solar photobioreactor for cultivation of microalgae based on solar concentrators

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Phycology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A novel two-stage experimental photobioreactor (PBR) with a total volume of 450 L and based uniquely on solar concentrators—linear Fresnel lenses—has been constructed and tested. Daily courses of irradiance, and also its distribution inside cultivation tubes, were studied in two unit types. The supra-high irradiance units in the ‘roof’ achieved a maximum summer value above 6 mmol photon m−2 s−1, while irradiance in the vertical-facade units was lower than ‘ambient’. In model cultivations, cultures of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis were cultivated at much higher solar irradiances than those usually recorded outdoors in summer, indicating that this organism is resilient to high-irradiance (photoinhibition). Starting from a biomass density of 0.5 g L−1 at optimum temperature, the cultures grew exponentially. A two-stage cultivation process of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis was investigated with respect to correlations between photochemical activities and astaxanthin production. The culture was first grown in low-irradiance units, and then exposed to supra-high irradiance when the rate of astaxanthin production was 30–50% higher than in the culture exposed to ‘ambient’ irradiance. Within 4 days, the astaxanthin content reached 3% of dry weight, whereas under ambient irradiance the astaxanthin content was 25% lower.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Fo, Fv, Fm :

Minimum, variable and maximum fluorescence levels of dark-adapted cultures

Fv/Fm, \({{F_v^\prime } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{F_v^\prime } {F_m^\prime }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {F_m^\prime }}\) :

maximum photochemical yield of PSII measured in dark-adapted culture or light-adapted culture, respectively

NPQ:

Non-photochemical quenching

References

  • Aflalo C, Meshulam Y, Zarka A, Boussiba S (2007) On the relative efficiency of two vs. one-stage production of astaxanthin by the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Biotechnol Bioeng 98:300–305

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bilger W, Björkman O (1990) Role of xanthophyll in photoprotection elucidated by measurement of light-induced absorbance changes, fluorescence and photosynthesis in leaves of Hedera canariensis. Photosynth Res 25:173–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borowitzka MA, Huisman JM, Osborn A (1991) Culture of the astaxanthin-producing green-alga Haematococcus pluvialis. 1. Effects of nutrients on growth and cell type. J Appl Phycol 3:295–304

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borowitzka MA (1995) Microalgae as sources of pharmaceuticals and biologically-active compounds. J Appl Phycol 7:3–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boussiba S (2000) Carotenogenesis in the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis: cellular physiology and stress response. Physiol Plant 108:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boussiba S, Vonshak A (1991) Astaxanthin accumulation in the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Plant Cell Physiol 32:1077–1082

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho AP, Meireles LA, Malcata FX (2006) Microalgal reactors: a review of enclosed system designs and performances. Biotechnol Prog 22:1490–1506

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Csögör Z, Herrenbauer M, Schmidt K, Posten C (2001) Light distribution in a novel photobioreactor—modelling for optimization. J Appl Phycol 13:325–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Genty B, Briantais JM, Baker NR (1989) The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim Biophys Acta 990:87–92

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen M, Tramper J, Mur LR, Wijffels RH (2001) Enclosed outdoor photobioreactors: light regime, photosynthetic efficiency, scale-up, and future prospects. Biotechnol Bioeng 81:193–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jirka V, Kučeravý V, Malý M, Pech F, Pokorny J (1999) Energy flow in a greenhouse equipped with glass raster lenses. Renewable Energ 16:660–664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masojídek J, Papáček Š, Sergejevová M, Jirka V, Červený J, Kunc J, Korečko J, Verbovikova O, Kopecký J, Štys D, Torzillo G (2003) A closed solar photobioreactor for cultivation of microalgae under supra-high irradiance: basic design and performance. J Appl Phycol 15:239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molina Grima E, Fernandez FGA, Camacho FG, Chisti Y (1999) Photobioreactors: light regime, mass transfer, and scaleup. J Biotechnol 70:231–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olaizola M (2000) Commercial production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis using 25000-liter outdoor photobioreactors. J Appl Phycol 12:499–506

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pulz O (2001) Photobioreactors: production systems for phototrophic microorganisms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 57:287–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richmond A (2004) Biological principles of mass cultivation. In: Richmond A (ed) Handbook of microalgal mass cultures. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 125–177

  • Sanchez Mirón S, Contreras Gómez A, Camacho FG, Molina Grima E, Chisti Y (1999) Comparative evaluation of compact photobioreactors for large-scale monoculture of microalgae. J Biotechnol 70:249–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skulberg OM (2004) Bioactive chemicals in microalgae. In: Richmond A (ed) Handbook of microalgal mass cultures. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 485–512

  • Torzillo G, Accolla P, Pinzani E, Masojidek J (1996) In situ monitoring of chlorophyll fluorescence to assess the synergistic effect of low temperature and high irradiance stresses in Spirulina grown in outdoor photobioreactors. J Appl Phycol 8:283–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torzillo G, Bernardini P, Masojídek J (1998) On-line monitoring of chlorophyll fluorescence to assess the extent of photoinhibition of photosynthesis induced by high oxygen concentration and low temperature and its effect on the productivity of outdoor cultures of Spirulina platensis (Cyanobacteria). J Phycol 34:504–510

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torzillo G, Komenda J, Kopecký J, Faraloni C, Masojídek J (2003a) Photoinhibitory stress induced by high oxygen and low temperature in outdoor cultures of Arthrospira platensis grown in closed photobioreactors. In: Abstracts of the 3rd European Phycological Congress, Belfast, UK, 21–26 July 2003, p 31

  • Torzillo G, Goksan T, Faraloni C, Kopecky J, Masojidek J (2003b) Interplay between photochemical activities and pigment composition in an outdoor culture of Haematococcus pluvialis during the shift from the green to red stage. J Appl Phycol 15:127–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tredici M (2004) Mass production of microalgae: photobioreactors. In: Richmond A (ed) Handbook of microalgal mass cultures. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 178–214

  • Vernerey A, Albiol J, Lasseur C, Godia F (2001) Scale-up and design of a pilot-plant photobioreactor for the continuous culture of Spirulina platensis. Biotechnol Prog 17:431–438

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vonshak A, Torzillo G, Masojidek J, Boussiba S (2001) Sub-optimal morning temperature induces photoinhibition in dense outdoor cultures of the alga Monodus subterraneus (Eustigmatophyta). Plant Cell Environ 24:1113–1118

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. Petr Kohout, Mr. Jan Červený and Mr. Zdeněk Česák for technical assistance and Dr. Steve Ridgill for language correction. This research was supported by the Ministry of Education, project MSM6007665808 “Physical Biology-New Approach to Biological Research” and by EC project “Centre of Biological Technologies Nové Hrady” - PHARE Cross-border Cooperation Programme, No. CZ01.11.01.01. Partial funding was also provided by projects 522/06/1090 and 522/05/P276 of the Czech Science Foundation, and by project IAA608170601 of the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences. The visit of G.T. was supported within the framework of the Bilateral Scientific Agreement between the National Research Council of Italy and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physical Biology, University of South Bohemia, Zámek 136, 37333, Nové Hrady, Czech Republic

    J. Masojídek, M. Sergejevová, K. Rottnerová, J. Kopecký, I. Zaťková & D. Štys

  2. Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Opatovický mlýn, 37981, Třeboň, Czech Republic

    J. Masojídek, K. Rottnerová & J. Kopecký

  3. ENKI, Dukelská 145, 37982, Třeboň, Czech Republic

    V. Jirka & J. Korečko

  4. Sezione di Firenze, Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi del CNR, Via Madonna del Piano, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    G. Torzillo

Authors
  1. J. Masojídek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Sergejevová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. Rottnerová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. Jirka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Korečko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. Kopecký
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. I. Zaťková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. G. Torzillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. D. Štys
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Masojídek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Masojídek, J., Sergejevová, M., Rottnerová, K. et al. A two-stage solar photobioreactor for cultivation of microalgae based on solar concentrators. J Appl Phycol 21, 55–63 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-008-9324-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-008-9324-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation