Abstract
BackgroundMicroalgae, being a phototroph, grow in the presence of light, and utilizing photons in narrow and specific range of wavelengths. There have been numerous attempts to take advantage of this trait of wavelength-dependent growth for the purpose of increasing biomass productivity. One potential option involves wavelength conversion of sunlight. In the present study, three fluorescent dyes with blue, red, and green emission spectra were employed with the aim of improving sunlight utilization efficiency and thus enhancing biomass and lipid productivity of Nannochloropsis gaditana.ResultsWhen DPA and R101 were used to enrich blue and red spectra, biomass productivity of Nannochloropsis gaditana was increased by 35.1 and 40.3%, respectively. The maximum quantum yield values were higher than 0.6 at the early stage of growth for the cultures grown under DPA- and R101-modified solar radiation. Chlorophyll a content was also 57.0 and 32.3% higher than the control at the early growth stage under DPA- and R101-modified solar radiation, respectively. This stimulation of photosynthetic activity at the early growth stage correlated well with rapid growth under DPA- and R101-modified light during the first 4 days of cultivation. Lipid productivity consequently increased by 26.9 (DPA) and 39.4% (R101) after 10 days of cultivation. An immediate effect on lipid induction was observed in cultures under modified light, which exhibited 19.1% improvement in lipid content at the cost of some degree of impaired growth.ConclusionFluorescent dyes with the capability of enriching wavelengths of light favored by the algal photosystem could indeed be an effective means of promoting growth of Nannochloropsis gaditana. This strategy would be particularly powerful for mass cultivation where sunlight is the only economically viable option for illumination.
Highlights
Microalgae, being a phototroph, grow in the presence of light, and utilizing photons in narrow and specific range of wavelengths
This had the simultaneous benefit of increasing the distribution of the incident light in the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) range and at the same time reducing the detrimental UV wavelength, both of which led to enhanced growth
Conversion of unused and/or harmful portions of incident sunlight into usable photons using fluorescent dyes was found to be an effective approach for improving the microalgal photosynthetic output
Summary
Microalgae, being a phototroph, grow in the presence of light, and utilizing photons in narrow and specific range of wavelengths. There have been numerous attempts to take advantage of this trait of wavelengthdependent growth for the purpose of increasing biomass productivity. One potential option involves wavelength conversion of sunlight. Three fluorescent dyes with blue, red, and green emission spectra were employed with the aim of improving sunlight utilization efficiency and enhancing biomass and lipid productivity of Nannochloropsis gaditana. Through the light harvesting system, The trait of growing under light, which is among the most important advantages of microalgae, poses challenges when it comes to mass production. In addition to the intensity, parameters such as frequency and wavelength are important, and especially so when artificial light sources are employed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
