The effects of light regime on carbon cycling, nutrient removal, biomass yield, and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by a constructed photosynthetic consortium

Date published

2022-09-12

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Elsevier

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Article

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0960-8524

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Wicker RJ, Autio H, Daneshvar E, et al., (2022) The effects of light regime on carbon cycling, nutrient removal, biomass yield, and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by a constructed photosynthetic consortium. Bioresource Technology, Volume 363, November 2022, Article number 127912

Abstract

Microalgae can add value to biological wastewater treatment processes by capturing carbon and nutrients and producing valuable biomass. Harvesting small cells from liquid media is a challenge easily addressed with biofilm cultivation. Three experimental photobioreactors were constructed from inexpensive materials (e.g. plexiglass, silicone) for hybrid liquid/biofilm cultivation of a microalgal-bacterial consortia in aquaculture effluent. Three light regimes (full-spectrum, blue-white, and red) were implemented to test light spectra as a process control. High-intensity full-spectrum light caused photoinhibition and low biomass yield, but produced the most polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) (0.14 mg g−1); a renewable bioplastic polymer. Medium-intensity blue-white light was less effective for carbon capture, but removed up to 82 % of phosphorus. Low-intensity red light was the only net carbon-negative regime, but increased phosphorus (+4.98 mg/L) in the culture medium. Light spectra and intensity have potential as easily-implemented process controls for targeted wastewater treatment, biomass production, and PHB synthesis using photosynthetic consortia.

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Github

Keywords

Photosynthetic consortia, Biological wastewater treatment, Nutrient removal, Photobioreactor, Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)

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Attribution 4.0 International

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