Algal Composition Research Articles

Catalytic Thermochemical Conversion of Algae and Upgrading of Algal Oil for the Production of High-Grade Liquid Fuel: A Review

The depletion of fossil fuel has drawn growing attention towards the utilization of renewable biomass for sustainable energy production. Technologies for the production of algae derived biofuel has attracted wide attention in recent years. Direct thermochemical conversion of algae obtained biocrude oil with poor fuel quality due to the complex composition of algae. Thus, catalysts are required in such process to remove the heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. This article reviews the recent advances in catalytic systems for the direct catalytic conversion of algae, as well as catalytic upgrading of algae-derived oil or biocrude into liquid fuels with high quality. Heterogeneous catalysts with high activity in deoxygenation and denitrogenation are preferable for the conversion of algae oil to high-grade liquid fuel. The paper summarized the influence of reaction parameters and reaction routes for the catalytic conversion process of algae from critical literature. The development of new catalysts, conversion conditions, and efficiency indicators (yields and selectivity) from different literature are presented and compared. The future prospect and challenges in general utilization of algae are also proposed.

Soil algae and cyanobacteria of Moscow State University educational-scientific station «Satino»

The species composition of soil algae and cyanobacteria in landscapes with different types of land use was studied for the first time on the territory of the Lomonosov Moscow state University educational and scientific station (Kaluga region). 125 species and intraspecific taxa of algae and 35 species of cyanobacteria were found. The specificity of algal-cyanobacterial communities in soils under different types of forest, in clearings of different ages and on arable land was revealed. In a field experiment, the effect of hydrocarbon fuel contamination (gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel) on the algal-cyanobacterial communities of sod-podzolic soils was studied. It is shown that with the same primary load of pollutants, their toxicity to algae and cyanobacteria and the rate of recovery of algal-cyanobacterial communities depends on the type of land use of the territory, and with the same type of land use – on the water regime of soils. In the same soil, the specific of the pollutant also affects the recovery of algal-cyanobacterial communities. Data on the composition of algae and cyanobacteria successfully complement information about the biological activity of soils obtained by other methods.

Optimization of Physical Parameters of Astaxanthin Production from Haematococcus pluvialis

Haematococcus pluvialis, fresh water microalgae has been considered as a possible natural source for the production of astaxanthin and it has been widely studied. The general composition of Haematococcus algae consists of common carotenoids, fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Both of the main physical and chemical parameters, especially medium and light, directly control the growth rate of Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid which is built from five carbon precursors isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethyl allyldiphosphate. Astaxanthin has important metabolic functions in animals and humans ranging from protection against oxidation of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, protection against UV light effects, pro vitamin A activity and vision, immune response, pigmentation and communication to reproductive behaviour and improved reproduction. The astaxanthin is the pigment that is considered as the most powerful antioxidants in nature. Due to the high production cost of synthetic astaxanthin and the market demand for natural astaxanthin, the biological sources of astaxanthin have long been widely exploited. To extract more astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, Growth optimization of the microalgae was done by using various medium such as BG-11, Basal, RM, BBM and TAP Medium. This comprehensive study on the determination of the culture medium and the light intensity was carried out to maximize the growth of Haematococcus pluvialis for batch cultivations. optimization was done by using different pH, temperature and light. the chlorophyll and protein content were analysed. And finally the astaxanthin was produced. The protein content of H. Pluvialis was found to be 338.27µg/ml.

Study on the occurrence and abundance of noxious Microcystis spp. in pangasiid catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) ponds

As microalgal blooms are very common and making serious problems in water bodies throughout Bangladesh, an investigation was carried out to see the composition and succession of noxious blue-green algae in pangasiid catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) ponds. During the course of the study, 20 species of Cyanophyceae were recorded, and among them Microcystis aeruginosa was the most abundant compared to other species. Significant occurrence of Microcystis viridis was also observed. Efforts were made to study certain physico-chemical factors and their influence on the composition and seasonal abundance of these species. Peak abundance of M. aeruginosa was observed from July to August. Moderately higher water temperature, lower rainfall and NO3-PO4 enrichment increased the biomass of both M. aeruginosa (168.72×103cells/L) and M. viridis (8×103cells/L) in the experimental ponds. Higher feeding rate in monoculture of pangasiid catfish (P. hypophthalmus) made the ponds hyper nutrified by unutilized feed and fish excreta that supported the higher abundance of these Cyanophyceae. In composite culture ponds, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) effectively grazed down the microalgae and as a result, algal bloom was not noticed.

Floristic Composition and Taxonomic Structure of Algae in the Hyperhaline Reservoirs of the Northwestern Azov Sea Coast (Ukraine)

Floristic Composition and Taxonomic Structure of Algae in the Hyperhaline Reservoirs of the Northwestern Azov Sea Coast (Ukraine)

Species Composition of Algae in Small Rivers of the Northwestern Black Sea Region

Species Composition of Algae in Small Rivers of the Northwestern Black Sea Region

Species Composition of Algae in the Food Tract of Common Silver Carp (Hypophtalmichthys molitrix vab.) in Growing Conditions

Species Composition of Algae in the Food Tract of Common Silver Carp (Hypophtalmichthys molitrix vab.) in Growing Conditions

Process Optimization for the Hydrothermal Production of Algae Fuels

In this work, the production of liquid fuels from algae via hydrothermal liquefaction has been analyzed. The process consists of algae growing and harvesting, biomass liquefaction, hydrocracking of the biocrude, and the separation of the products into fuels. Surrogate models for all of the units are developed to evaluate the optimal operating conditions including the nutrient and light effects on algae growth rate. The yield and distribution of the products of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and the hydrocracker are predicted using kinetic and yield data, and the operation of the column is determined using both rules of thumb and experimental data. The model is optimized aiming at selecting the algae composition, HTL, and hydrocracking product distribution. In particular, the algae should have 53% lipids, 30% proteins, and 15% carbohydrates for the production of a mass with 51% biocrude that is cracked into 18% kerosene, 24% gasoline, and 59% diesel. The estimated facility investment costs add up to 130 M€ with a production cost of 0.64 €/gal. These results are competitive with renewable-based Fischer–Tropsch (FT) fluids and biodiesel.

Nitrogen enrichment leads to changing fatty acid composition of phytoplankton and negatively affects zooplankton in a natural lake community

Secondary production in freshwater zooplankton is frequently limited by the food quality of phytoplankton. One important parameter of phytoplankton food quality are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Since the fatty acid composition of phytoplankton is variable and depends on the algae’s nutrient supply status, inorganic nutrient supply may affect the algal PUFA composition. Therefore, an indirect transfer of the effects of nutrient availability on zooplankton by changes in algal PUFA composition is conceivable. While the phosphorus (P) supply in lakes is largely decreasing, nitrogen (N) inputs continue to increase. This paper presents data from a mesocosm field experiment in which we exposed phytoplankton communities to increasing N enrichment. As a consequence, the PUFA composition of the phytoplankton community changed. With increasing nitrogen fertilisation, we observed lower quantities of essential PUFAs, together with a decrease in the abundances of the dominant herbivorous zooplankton Daphnia sp. Their biomass was significantly correlated with phytoplankton PUFA content (C18:3 ω3, C20:5 ω3, C18:2 ω6). Our data therefore indicate that changes in nitrogen supply, together with the resultant changes in phytoplankton food quality, can negatively affect the secondary production of herbivorous zooplankton by reducing the availability of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Optimization of algoflora of sod-podzolic sand soil in the conditions of its cultivation

As a result of studies of the taxonomic composition and quantitative development of soil algae on sod-podzolic sandy soil of varying degrees of optimization 45 species of soil algae were identified that belong mainly to four divisions: Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Xanthophyta. Also in the soil were found not numerous representatives of divisions Euglenophyta and Rhodophyta. Different departments are represented unequally. Most of the found representatives we edaphophilic algae, the participation of hydrophilic algae in the formation of algogroups at the studied sites was insignificant (represented by one species of Cosmarium undulatum var. minutum Wittr.). No amphibial algae were found. The species composition and the spectrum of life forms in different versions of the experiment varied. The control variant of the experiment was represented by the smallest number of species; there are also no nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the soil.

Algal diversity and community composition of peat bogs in Poland (Central Europe)

Algal diversity and community composition of peat bogs in Poland (Central Europe)

Temporal Variations of Water Quality Parameters, Phytoplankton, And Invertebrates In Environmental Change Hotspots: A Case of Lake Wamala, Uganda

Lake Wamala (Uganda) is a small shallow lake (maximum mean depth = 4.5m) that has periodically undergonefluctuations in depth and area because of changes in rainfall, temperature and wind speed. No study, however,has been done to assess how these changes, in addition to catchment degradation, which are likely to intensify in future, have affected aquatic productivity processes. Data on Secchi depth (SD), turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorous (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), soluble reactive silicon (SRSi), ammonia (NH4-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), Chlorophyl a, composition and abundance of algae, and invertebrates were compared between periods 1998-2000 and 2011-2013. Results showed a twofold increase in conductivity and TP, a threefold increase in SRSi, chlorophyll a > 25 ?g l-1, and persistence by low water transparency (SD < 0.7 m). In consequence, algal biomass increased by >70%, with emergence of new species, especially among the dinoflagellate and euglenophyte groups. Although rotifers, which are known to have capacity to withstand stressful habitat conditions, dominated the zooplankton, their density decreased by >80%. The phantom-midge, chaoborus, and the midge, chironomid, larvae dominated macro-invertebrate, but did not show clear trends between the two periods.

Characteristics of external carbon uptake by microalgae growth and associated effects on algal biomass composition

Water eutrophication may be affected not only by nutrients but also the coexisting organic carbon. In order to reveal the effect of external carbon on algal growth, an experimental study was conducted using Chlorella vulgaris as the representative microalgae to investigate their growth under varied N and P levels with/without added glucose at TOC = 18 mg/L. The TOC consumption by microalgae growth depended much on N and P concentrations and N/P ratio especially when P was sufficient. This ultimately increased the specific growth rate and resulted in higher N and P accumulations but lower carbon fixation in algal biomass in contrast to non-TOC addition. The biomass dry weight became much lower with TOC addition, along with an apparent change of algal composition shown by the much lower chlorophyll contents in the microalgae cells, which might associate the extent of two carbon fixation pathways – anabolism vs catabolism.

Dynamics of Epilithic Algae Communities and Their Relationship with Environmental Factors During Storage and Non-storage Periods in the Three Gorges Reservoir

In order to explore the composition of epiphytic algae and its related environmental factors, 12 sampling sites in the natural reaches and the backwater reaches (including perennial backwater sections and fluctuating backwater sections) were investigated among tributaries of the Caotang River, the Meixi River, and the Daxi River in the Fengjie district of the Chongqing section of the Three Gorges Reservoir under different hydrological regimes (i.e., storage and non-storage periods). Results showed that 103 species of epilithic algae belonging to 45 genera and 4 families are found in the 3 tributaries. This included 67 species belonging to 34 genus in the natural sections and 82 species (64 species in perennial backwater sections and 41 species in fluctuating backwater sections) belonging to 34 genera in the backwater sections. During the storage period, the dominant species in the natural sections were Melosira varians, Cocconeis placentula, Diatoma vulgure, Gyrosigma scalproides, and Oscillatoria tenuis, while the dominant species in the backwater sections were M. varians, Cymbella affinis,D. vulgure, Eucapsis alpina, and M. granulata. During the non-storage period, the dominant species in the natural sections were M. varians, C. affinis, and C. placentula, whereas the dominant species in the backwater sections were O. princeps, O. rupicola,O. formosa, Synedra acus, Ulothrix sp., Merismopedia elegans, and O. tenuis. These results suggested that the compositions of dominant species showed significant differences during the non-storage period, while little difference was found during the storage period. In addition, the dominant species did not show a significant change in the natural sections, but a marked difference was observed in the backwater sections. Similar dominant species were observed in both perennial and fluctuating backwater sections during the non-storage period, but significantly different dominant species were found during the storage period. Redundancy analysis suggested that the composition of epilithic algae was influenced by different environmental factors, such as temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Indeed, changes in the cell densities of dominant algae at the different sites were mainly affected by temperature and the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. These results suggest that the different hydrological regimes had an important role not only on the reservoir water environment, but also the dynamics of epilithic algal communities.

In vitro induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress in human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells by fucoidan

Fucoidan is a sulfated hetero-polysaccharide, found in cell-wall composition of brown algae. Recent studies have reported the role of fucoidan in the induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress-related cell death in cancer cells but the mechanism of action of fucoidan in cervical HeLa cells is not well-known. The purpose of this study was to investigate if fucoidan induces HeLa cells death through ER-stress-related cell death and G1 phase arrest. 200–600 μg/ml concentrations of fucoidan inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells after 48 h of treatment while investigated normal cell lines (HaCaT: Keratinocytes and HEK-293: embryonic kidney) were not affected. The exposure of HeLa cells to these concentrations of fucoidan induced phosphorylation of ER stress sensors followed by upregulation of Bip/GRP78, CHOP expression which triggered a buildup of malfolded proteins in ER, therefore, initiating unfolded protein response (UPR) mechanism. In addition, intracellular calcium levels were elevated following the treatment suggesting that this contributed to the ER stress-induced apoptosis. Fucoidan treatment caused G1phase arrest by inducting CDKIs and inhibiting CDKs and Cyclins as well as apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HeLa cells. We demonstrated that Fucoidan inhibits HeLa cells proliferation by inducing apoptosis, G1 phase arrest, ER stress, and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.

Mitigation of variable seasonal productivity in algae biomass through blending and ensiling: An assessment of compositional changes in storage

Microalgae biomass has gained considerable attention in recent years as an attractive feedstock for biofuel production. However, seasonal variability in algae growth presents a challenge to delivering a consistent feedstock supply to a conversion facility. Drying is one approach to preserving algae produced in productive summer months for conversion in winter, but is energy intensive and costly. Ensiling is an alternative to drying that preserves algae in wet anaerobic conditions in the presence of organic acids. We have previously demonstrated that dry matter loss of algae:corn stover blends can be limited to 8% over 35 days using this approach. However, longer storage durations will be required to maintain a consistent feedstock supply to a biorefinery. Furthermore, the impacts to biomass quality that occur during storage are unknown. A Box-Behnken design of experiment was conducted to determine the influence of moisture, soluble sugar, and algae content on dry matter loss of algae:corn stover blends in wet anaerobic storage over a 30-day period. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) moisture and soluble sugar content were found to significantly affect dry matter loss in storage. The results of experimental design were then used to inform the initiation of a 180 day storage study that evaluated the storage performance and biomass composition of algae:corn stover blends containing 5, 20 or 40% algae. After 180 days of storage dry matter loss ranged from 6 to 17%. A relative increase in nitrogen content of stored blends indicates that protein content was unaffected by storage, while the carbohydrate fraction was most impacted, decreasing by 5–15%. For each stored blend the oxygen content decreased in storage resulting increased higher heating values (HHV). The impact that changes to biochemical and elemental composition of algae:corn stover blends has on biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals is discussed.

Green and charophytic algae of the high-mountain Nesamovyte and Brebeneskul lakes (Eastern Carpathians, Ukraine)

AbstractA study of green and charophytic algae diversity in two high-mountain lakes in the Eastern Carpathians (Ukraine) identified 99 species (109 taxa at species and intraspecific rank) in 35 genera from different ecotopes of the studied lakes. Algal species composition was characterized, and the ecological parameters of the lakes were determined from monitoring data recorded over the last century. Environmental analyses using bioindication methods based only on data on the composition of green and charophytic algae confirmed that the environmental inferences were accurate. Degradation of the Nesamovyte and Brebeneskul lake ecosystems, as compared with their earlier states, was noted.

PHYTOPERIPHYTON OF THE KOVDA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Attached algal communities (phytoperiphyton) in the Kovda River and its 18 tributaries were studied, including the analysis of their taxonomic composition, ecology and spatial distribution. In total, 178 species were identified, belonging to Cyanophyta (Cyanoprokaryota) (27), Ochrophyta (121), Dinophyta (1), Rhodophyta (3), Chlorophyta (26). The paper discusses the main principles behind the formation of the structure of phytoperiphyton communities in the rivers. Based on the analysis of the taxonomic composition and structure of phytoperiphyton in the river ecosystems, similarities in the community composition were revealed. The dominant complex is represented by a limited number of species resistant to the dynamic water load. The dependence of changes in the quantities and structural characteristics of phytoperiphyton on the river's hydrological regime is demonstrated. Widespread oligohalobial species that are either acidophilic or pH-indifferent prevail in the ecological-geographical composition of algae. According to the contribution of indicator species, water in the streams and lakes is oligosaprobic, belonging to class II of water purity. Algal abundance and biomass in the waterbodies studied ranged from0.1 to 1310.1・10 4 cells cm -2 and 0.01 to 28.4 mg cm -2 .

Investigating the Potential of Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry for Microalgae Biomass Characterization.

Algae biomass is formed by an extremely complex set of metabolites, and its molecular characterization has been very challenging. We report the characterization of microalgae extracts via traveling wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) by two different analysis strategies. First, the extracts were analyzed by direct infusion electrospray ionization (ESI) with no previous chromatographic separation (DI-ESI-TWIM-MS). Second, the samples were screened for metabolites and lipids using an untargeted high-throughput method that employs ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using data-independent analysis (DIA) - MSE (UHPLC-HDMSE). Sixteen different microalgae biomasses were evaluated by both strategies. DI-ESI-TWIM-MS was able, via distinct drift times, to set apart different classes of metabolites, with the differences in the profiles of each microalga readily evident. With the UHPLC-HDMSE approach, 1251 different compounds were putatively annotated across 16 samples with 210 classified as lipids. From the normalized abundance for each annotated compound category, a detailed profiling in terms of metabolites, lipids, and lipid classes of each sample was performed. The reported workflow represents a powerful tool to determine the most suitable biotechnological applications for a given alga type and may allow for real-time monitoring of the algae composition distribution as a function of growth conditions, feedstocks, and the like. The determination of collision cross section results in improved confidence in the identification of triacylglycerols in samples, highly applicable to biofuels production. The two analysis strategies explored in this work offer powerful tools for the biomass industry by aiding in the identification of ideal strains and culture conditions for a specific application, saving analysis time and facilitating identification of a large number of constituents at once.

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF MICROSCOPIC ALGAE OF THE PONDS OF DENDROPARK NAMED AFTER THE VICTORY IN THE CITY OF ODESA

Introduction. The generalized results of researches (2011-2018 years) of species composition of microscopic algae of 4 ponds of dendropark named after the Victory in Odessa are given. The aim of the work was to establish taxonomic composition of the microphytes of the ponds. Results and conclusion . As a result of processing 70 samples revealed 99 species of algae, which belonged to 56 genera, 33 families, 22 orders, 10 classes and 7 divisions. Representatives of diatoms (45 species), green (27) and blue-green (16) algae dominated the taxonomic composition. Genera Desmodesmus (F. Chodat) An, Friedl et E. Hegew. (7 species), Nitzschia Hassall (7), Сalothrix C. Agardh ex Bornet et Flahault (6), Cymbella C. Agardh (5), Cosmarium Corda et Ralfs (4 ), Navicula Bory (3) and Phormidium Kutz. ex Gomont (3) have made a significant contribution to the systematic diversity of the flora of the ponds. Among the algae 45 regional new species for the ponds dendropark named after the Victory in Odessa and 4 new species ( Calothrix сolumbiana G. S. West, Chrysamoeba radians G. A. Klebs, Mallomonas spinulosa W. Conrad and Chlamydomonas platyrhyncha Korschikov) for water bodies of the North-Western Black Sea Coast were detected. From the found algae 43 taxa belonged to plankton, 38 – to periphyton and 18 – to benthic organisms. The algoflora of the dendropark ponds was freshwater, alkaliphilic and mesosaprobic. As to salinity the major part (85 species) of algae was related to freshwater, and the smaller part (14) – to brackish forms. As to the ratio of microphytes to the pH of water alkaliphiles (88 species) dominated, the indifferents were presented by 10, and acidophiles only by 1 species. 63 species indicators of organic water contamination were identified. As to water saprobity β-mesosaprobies (32 species) and α-mesosaprobies (12) were the dominating groups, the other groups were few. As to biogeographical distribution algoflora was represented by cosmopolitan (65 species) and boreal (33) groups.