Development and evaluation of low-cost flat plate photobioreactors for microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation with biotechnological potential.

Abstract

The high performance of biomass and metabolite biosynthesis by photosynthetic microorganisms is directly influenced by the cultivation system employed. Photobioreactors (PBRs) stand out as controlled and fundamental systems for increasing the production of biocompounds. However, the high costs associated with these systems hinder their viability. Thus, a more practical and economical approach is necessary. Accordingly, this study aimed to design and evaluate low-cost flat-panel photobioreactors on a laboratory scale for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, using economical materials and instruments. Additionally, internal optimization of the low-cost system was aimed to maximize growth and biomass production. The PBRs were designed and built with uniform dimensions, employing 4 mm translucent glass and agitation through compressors. The internally optimized system (PBR-OII) was equipped with perforated acrylic plates used as static mixers. To evaluate the performance of the low-cost PBR-OII, a comparison was made with the control photobioreactor (PBR-CI), of the same geometry but without internal optimization, using a culture of Synechocystis sp. CACIAM 05 culture. The results showed that the PBR-OII achieved maximum biomass yield and productivity of 6.82 mg/mL and 250 mg/L/day, respectively, values superior to the PBR-CI (1.87 mg/mL and 62 mg/L/day). Additionally, the chlorophyll concentration in the PBR-OII system was 28.89 ± 3.44 µg/mL, while in the control system, the maximum reached was 23.12 ± 1.85 µg/mL. Therefore, low-cost photobioreactors have demonstrated to be an essential tool for significantly increasing biomass production, supporting research, and reducing costs associated with the process, enabling their implementation on a laboratory scale.