Microalgae cultivation in air-lift reactors: modeling biomass yield and growth rate as a function of mixing frequency

The slow development of microalgal biotechnology stems from the failure in the design of large-scale photobioreactors where light energy is efficiently utilized. Due to the light gradient inside the reactor and depending on the mixing properties, algae are subjected to certain light/dark cycles where the light period is characterized by a light gradient. These light/dark cycles will determine productivity and biomass yield on light energy. Air-lift reactors can be used for microalgae cultivation and medium-frequency light/dark cycles will be found in these systems. Light/dark cycles are associated with two basic parameters: first, the light fraction, i.e., the ratio between the light period and the cycle time and second, the frequency of the light/dark cycle. In the present work, light/dark cycles found in air-lift reactors were simulated taking into account the light gradient during the light period. The effect of medium-frequency cycle time (10-100 s) and light fraction (0.1-1) on growth rate and biomass yield on light energy of the microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta was studied. The biomass yield and growth rates were mainly affected by the light fraction, while cycle time had little influence. Response surface methodology was used and a statistical model describing the effect of light fraction and cycle time on growth rate and biomass yield on light energy was developed. The use of the model as a reactor design criterion is discussed.     

不同光质补光对火龙果茎生理特性及开花结果的影响

为探究不同光质补光对火龙果茎生理特性的影响,该文采用红光、白光、蓝光3种不同光质对火龙果进行夜间补光,测定火龙果茎中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、叶绿素、线粒体蛋白、线粒体膜电位及细胞分裂素(CTK)、吲哚乙酸(IAA)、赤霉素(GA)3种内源激素的含量,并统计茎长、开花数、果实产量相关指标.结果表明:3种光质补光均可提高火龙...     

Photocontrol of the synthesis of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin in the cyanobacterium Calothrix crustacea Schousboe]

Chlorophyll a and phycocyanin synthesis in the cyanobacterium Calothrix crustacea Schousboe (ecophene Rivularia bullata) have been studied in white light after the application of red and green light pulses. The light quality produces a complementary pattern in the pigment synthesis. Chlorophyll synthesis is stimulated by red light pulses whereas phycocyanin synthesis is by green light pulses. Because the effect of red light on chlorophyll synthesis shows some far-red photoreversibility, the action of phytochrome is proposed. The green light effect on phycocyanin synthesis is only partially reversed by far-red light. This reversion is lost after incubation in white light for two hours. The effect of green light on phycocyanin synthesis could not only be due to phytochrome since theoretically in green light the level of the active form of phytochrome is lower than in red light. Thus, the action of a specific green light photoreceptor is proposed.     

Factors affecting location of Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Acari: Tetranychidae), on corn leaves

The site on which adult female Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), settled when placed on corn (Zea mays L.) leaves was significantly influenced by light, leaf surface, and gravity. Mites chose the abaxial side of corn leaves when light was excluded as a factor. With a light source present, the mites went to and stayed on the leaf surface away from light. In the absence of light and leaf-surface influences, gravity showed significant effect on the choice of the under site of corn leaves by the mites; this effect also existed with light present, and acted in concert with normal light conditions (i.e., light from above). Results suggest that both heat and ultraviolet light may be responsible for the observed light effect.     

蓝光对蔬菜烟粉虱的控制作用

利用灯光控制害虫是蔬菜害虫绿色防控的重要手段.本研究探讨了蓝光对黄瓜烟粉虱种群及黄瓜营养物质、次生代谢物、抗性相关酶的影响.结果 表明:在直接驱避试验条件下,蓝光对烟粉虱成虫有较强的驱避作用,光照强度越大、照射时间越长,对烟粉虱的驱避作用越强.在相同光强和光照时间下,直射光较透射光的驱避作用强.其中,1200 lx的蓝...     

光质对植物光合作用的调控及其机理

光合作用是植物生长发育的基础.光质对植物光合作用的调控主要包括可见光对植物气孔器运动、叶片生长、叶绿体结构、光合色素、D1蛋白及其编码基因和光合碳同化等的调节,以及紫外光对植物光系统Ⅱ的影响.蓝光和红光能促进气孔的开张,而绿光能够逆转这种作用.蓝光有利于叶绿体的发育,红、蓝、绿复合光有利于叶面积的扩展,而红光更有利于光合产物的积累;不同光质对不同植物、不同组织器官叶绿素积累的影响不同.蓝光和远红光可以促进psbA基因转录物质的积累.大多数高等植物和绿藻在橙、红光下光合速率最高,蓝紫光其次,绿光最低.紫外光可以导致光系统Ⅱ的电子传递活性下降.此外,针对光质与光合作用研究领域中存在的问题,对今后的研究方向进行了讨论.     

Light quality influences adventitious shoot production from cotyledon explants of lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Summary The influence of light quality on competence and determination for organogenesis was investigated using lettuce cotyledon explants. Lettuce seedlings from four genotypes were germinated in the dark or under white, red, or blue light. Cotyledon explants were excised and cultured on a shoot-inducing medium for 28 d under white light. Germination in the dark reduced shoot numbers, suggesting that light improves the competence of explants for organogenesis. When explants from seedlings germinated under white light were cultured under different light qualities, blue was found to inhibit shoot production while red light either promoted production or had no effect on shoot number compared to controls. Treatment with blue plus red light failed to overcome the inhibition by blue light. To ascertain the temporal responses of explants to light quality, they were cultured under red or blue light prior to transfer to the alternate treatment. Exposure to blue light within 7 d of excision permanently reduced explant competence for organogenesis. Exposure after this time had a minimal effect. These results suggest that both phytochrome and cryptochrome can regulate shoot production from lettuce cotyledon explants and blue light can only inhibit organogenesis, in lettuce, during a relatively small developmental window.     

光与激素对于杜鹃花种子发芽的作用

本文报道24种杜鹃花种子的光照发芽试验,结果表明杜鹃花种子是需光性种子。所有种子的发芽都必须有光照,假如在黑暗条件下进行发芽试验,种子的发芽率几乎等于零。杜鹃花种子的发芽受光敏素的控制,红光促进种子发芽,远红光可以逆转这种促进作用,种子发芽与否取决于最后一次照射的光质。 不同种的杜鹃花种子对光的敏感性存在差异。敏感的种子可以在蓝光,短光照时间下正常发芽,并且它们的需光要求可以被1000 ppm赤霉素所代替。迟钝的种子发芽则要求红光和长光照时间,1000 ppm赤霉素不能代替光,光和赤霉素并用具有增效作用。     

Predictors of light-limited growth and competition of phytoplankton in a well-mixed water column

Based on a model of light limited growth, Huisman and Weissing found that in a well mixed water column with constant light supply (energy reaching the water surface), equilibrium growth and competition of phytoplankton for light can be characterised by a critical light intensity at the base of the column (I*out). The present study attempts to give a further insight into this model. We first analyse the dependence of the critical light intensity on four parameters: initial slope of the photosynthesis-intensity (p-I) curve, maximal photosynthetic rate, the light-saturated parameter Ikand specific carbon loss rate. Increases in the first two parameters tend to reduce the critical light intensity and increases in the last two tend to increase the critical light intensity. Then we analyse the performance of a model under variable light supply with a time-scale of 1 day (24 hr). Within this time-scale, the critical light intensity changes with time. However, the equilibrium growth and the outcome of competition for light can be adequately characterised by critical light extinction defined as the upper limit of total light extinction due to both biomass and non-living matter in the water column. Under constant light supply, a critical light intensity uniquely corresponds to a critical light extinction. Therefore, critical light extinction can be utilised to predict the equilibrium growth and the outcome of competition under both constant and variable light supply. By changing the maximal light supply at noon, seasonal succession of species composition of communities is investigated. The possible effect of two typical photoresponses, photoadaptation and photoinhibition, on growth and competiton are discussed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Effects of blue and red light on expression of nuclear genes encoding chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of Arabidopsis thaliana.

We have characterized the effects of different light spectra on expression of the nuclear genes (GapA and GapB) encoding chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana. Steady-state mRNA levels for both genes in etiolated seedlings increased after a short exposure to red or blue light. However, these increases could not be reversed by immediate far-red light following the initial light treatment. In mature plants, a short light pulse, regardless of its spectrum, had no apparent effect on GapA or GapB mRNA levels in dark-adapted plants. In contrast, continuous exposure to red, blue, or white light resulted in increases of GapA and GapB mRNA levels, with blue and white light being far more efficient than red light. Similarly, continuous exposure of etiolated seedlings to red, blue, or white light also resulted in increased GapA and GapB mRNA levels. In addition, we show that illumination of red light-saturated Arabidopsis plants with continuous blue light results in further increases of GapA and GapB mRNA levels. Based on these results, we conclude that both blue light photoreceptor- and phytochrome-mediated pathways are involved in light regulation of GapA and GapB genes in Arabidopsis, with blue light acting as the dominant regulator.     

光照对砀山酥梨果实发育过程中POD、PAL、PPO酶活性的影响研究

以40年生砀山酥梨为材料,用ZD-IA型照度计测定光照强度,用分光光度法测定POD、PAL、PPO等3种酶的活性;研究了光照强度对果实发育过程中POD、PAL、PPO等3种酶活性的影响。结果表明:(1)光照强度对POD、PAL、PPO等3种酶活性有显著的影响;(2)在光照充足的部位,POD、PAL酶活性较高,具体表现为高光强>中光强>弱光强>极弱光强,彼此间活性差异极显著(P<0.01);(3)PPO在光照充分的情况下,活性偏低,表现为高光强<中光强<弱光强<极弱光强,差异显著。     

An integrated solar and artificial light system for internal illumination of photobioreactors

Exploitation of photosynthetic cells for the production of useful metabolites requires efficient photobioreactors. Many laboratory scale photobioreactors have been reported but most of them are extremely difficult to scale up. Furthermore, the use of open ponds and outdoor tubular photobioreactors is limited by the requirement for large spaces and the difficulty in maintaining sterile conditions. In view of this, we have designed and constructed an internally illuminated stirred tank photobioreactor. The photobioreactor is simple, heat sterilizable and mechanically agitated like the conventional stirred tank bioreactors. Furthermore, it can easily be scaled up while maintaining the light supply coefficient and thus the productivity constant. A device was installed for collecting solar light and distributing it inside the reactor through optical fibers. It was equipped with a light tracking sensor so that the lenses rotate with the position of the sun. This makes it possible to use solar light for photosynthetic cell cultivation in indoor photobioreactors. As a solution to the problems of night biomass loss and low productivity on cloudy days, an artificial light source was coupled with the solar light collecting device. A light intensity sensor monitors the solar light intensity and the artificial light is automatically switched on or off, depending on the solar light intensity. In this way, continuous light supply to the reactor is achieved by using solar light during sunny period, and artificial light at night and on cloudy days.     

Effect of light interception by non-photosynthetic organs on canopy photosynthetic production

A canopy photosynthesis model was derived on the assumption that the light diminution within a canopy is caused by both leaves and non-photosynthetic organs. The light diminution by leaves and that by non-photosynthetic organs were taken into account separately in the Lambert-Beer equation of light extinction. The light flux density on the leaf surface at each depth was evaluated from the leaf's share of light. The light flux density on the leaf surface thus obtained was incorporated into the Monsi-Saeki model of canopy photosynthesis. The proposed model was applied for estimating gross canopy photosynthesis in a 19-year-oldLarix leptolepis plantation where 38% of the light diminution was due to non-photosynthetic organs. The daily canopy photosynthesis on one summer day calculated using the present model was about 22% less than that calculated by the conventional Monsi-Saeki model, in which light interception by non-photosynthetic organs is neglected. The degree of such reduction in canopy photosynthesis through shading by non-photosynthetic organs was assessed in relation to parameters affecting light extinction, leaf photosynthetic characteristics, and light regime above the canopy.     

Effect of blue light on indoor seedling culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharina japonica</Emphasis> (Phaeophyta)

Saccharina japonica is a brown alga that has been commercially cultured on a large scale in China. Integrating the light condition under seawater and the adaptation of Saccharina to this condition, it is expected that blue light would be beneficial to Saccharina culture system. Consequently, the detailed effect of blue light on the key stages during indoor seedling culture of S. japonica was investigated in this study. Irradiances and light qualities had little effect on zoospore attachment and germination. Egg formation occurred sooner under blue light than white light. Under optimum irradiances, 95 ± 4% female gametophytes gave rise to eggs in 6 d under blue light, while it took 12 d for over 90% formation of eggs under white light. Over a culture period of 3 weeks, mean sporeling length and width under blue light was 1.39 and 1.56 times of that under white light, respectively, while the mean sporeling size obtained under red light was only 25% of that under white light. The higher growth rate under blue light was largely due to higher photosynthetic efficiency, as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence of photosystem II. In addition, the mean ratio of sporeling width to length under blue light was significantly higher than that under white light. These results suggest that blue light would be superior to white light for indoor seedling culture of S. japonica. Based on these findings, an improved S. japonica seedling culture system is discussed.     

光、温湿度对柑桔木虱发育、繁殖与存活的影响

本研究结果表明,在光照强度为11000lx以下(6小时光照时为15000lx)、每天光照时间在18小时以内,光照强度越大,光照时间越长,柑桔木虱雌成虫的产卵前期越短,产卵量越大,死亡率越低。 温度为15—34℃,相对湿度为43—92％范围内,温湿度对柑桔木虱卵的孵化率影响较小。柑桔木虱若虫在高温(34℃)、高湿(85％,92％)下死亡率高;适温(20—30℃)、低湿(43—75％)下死亡率低。湿度对柑桔木虱卵及若虫发育历期影响不大。在温度为15—34℃范围内,温度与卵及若虫的发育历期呈抛物线关系。柑桔木虱卵及1—5龄若虫的发育起点温度分别是:9.41℃、8.30℃、9.72℃、8.92℃、9.61℃及9.07℃,有效积温分别是:60.03日度、39.78日度、26.82日度,33.23日度及74.49日度。     

Analysis of synchronous photon emissions from the bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum during colony formation from a single cell

Light emission from Photobacterium phosphoreum was analysed during cell growth on an agar plate from a single cell to colony formation. Temporal analysis of image intensified light was set so that a quadratic window covered a single cell. Intensity of light emission from a single cell through colony formation showed an initial decrease, a prolonged lag phase, and then a rapid increase. These responses on an agar plate were similar to those from liquid cultures. The image analysis showed repeated bursts of light emission in the phases when light was increasing and decreasing. Statistical analysis of light emission also emphasized the presence of bursts of light emission, suggesting the metabolic synchronism of luciferase reactions in either a single cell or synchronously divided cells. The repetitive bursts of light occurred in a single cell and continued during the growth phase in which the cell population and the light emission was increasing. In a single cell, however, periodicity of light emission was not defined directly from fast Fourier transformation, although it was indicated on oscillation of mean level of fluctuated light emission, at initial phase of culture on agar plate.     

生物组织中有限束宽光吸收的蒙特卡罗模拟

用蒙特卡罗法模拟了有限束宽均匀分布和高斯分布光在生物组织中的传播,分析了生物组织的光学参数及光源特性对光吸收分子的影响,结果表明：只要有效光吸收系数增加,最大光吸收率就会增加,光的侧向传输能力主要依赖于光的有效散射,光束宽度增加,辐照范围加宽,高斯光束的吸收分布的梯度更大。     

Double effects of red light on the development of myopia

Color vision is known to play an important role in the discrimination and perception of object characteristics. More recently, there are a few trials found that red light stimulation was related with the development of myopia, though the mechanism is unclear. We assume that red light has two effects on the development of myopia. Individuals who are more sensitive to red light tend to develop myopia under white illumination and are unlikely to be myopic under red light: red light can help to inhibit the progress of myopia. By contrast, individuals who are equal sensitive to red light and green light are susceptible to be myopia under red light and keep stable refraction under white light. Thus whether red light illumination leads to myopia depends on the relative sensitivity of L and M cones. If confirmed, this hypothesis may lead to the formulation of new pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches to myopia.     

蓝光、紫外光的受体及其对CHS表达诱导的研究

植物在进化过程中形成了对环境信号反应的能力,光是植物生长发育中的一个重要的环境信号,综述了蓝光,紫外光的受体及蓝光,紫外光对编码植物类黄酮合成中的一个重要的限速酶－苯基苯乙烯酮合酶基因CHS的诱导作用,并介绍该反应信号转导的可能组分。