Zinc removal from model solution and wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis biomass

The biosorption of zinc from model solution as well as wastewater by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass was studied. Adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of contact time between adsorbent and zinc, the initial metals and sorbent concentration, pH value, and temperature. The ability of Arthrospira biomass for zinc biosorption exhibited a maximum at the pH range 4–8. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model as well as the Freundlich model with maximum adsorption capacity of 7.1 mg/g. The pseudo second-order model was found to correlate well with the experimental data. Different thermodynamic parameters, ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated and it has been found that the sorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. The process of zinc removal from industrial effluent was studied at different time of sorbat–sorbent interaction and different sorbent dosage. Maximum zinc removal (83%) was obtained at sorbent concentration 60 g/L during 1-h experiment. The results indicate that Arthrospira platensis biomass could be effectively used for zinc removal from industrial effluents.     

Optimization of biscuit enrichment with the incorporation of Arthrospira platensis: nutritional and sensory approach

Journal of Applied Phycology - Arthrospira platensis is considered a beneficial food due to its nutrition-rich content. Research on the development of food enrichment with its biomass is an...     

不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻RAPD分析

本文对不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis进行了RAPD分析。结果表明, 鄂尔多斯高原碱湖和Chad湖的钝顶螺旋藻基因组DNA扩增多态性片段同源性为 48.23%。2 个样品在分子遗传水平上存在着较大的差异, 这是由于各自生态环境明显不同和长期地理隔离造成的。     

不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻RAPD分析

本文对不同生境下的钝顶螺旋藻Spirulina(Arthrospira)platensis进行了RAPD分析.结果表明,鄂尔多斯高原碱湖和Chad湖的钝顶螺旋藻基因组DNA扩增多态性片段同源性为48.23%.2个样品在分子遗传水平上存在着较大的差异,这是由于各自生态环境明显不同和长期地理隔离造成的.     

Nitrate and ammonia: two key nitrogen sources for biomass and phycocyanin production by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis

Journal of Applied Phycology - Nitrogen plays a key role in the production of biomass and valuable pigments from Arthrospira platensis. The present research aimed to examine the effect of Zarrouk...     

MIXOTROPHIC GROWTH MODIFIES THE RESPONSE OF SPIRULINA (ARTHROSPIRA) PLATENSIS (CYANOBACTERIA) CELLS TO LIGHT

Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis (Nordstedt) Geitler cells grown under mixotrophic conditions exhibit a modified response to light. The maximal photosynthetic rate and the light saturation value of mixotrophic cultures were higher than those of the photoautotrophic cultures. Dark respiration and light compensation point were also significantly higher in the mixotrophically grown cells. As expected, the mixotrophic cultures grew faster and achieved a higher biomass concentration than the photoautotrophic cultures. In contrast, the growth rate of the photoautotrophic cultures was more sensitive to light. The differences between the two cultures were also apparent in their responses to exposure to high photon flux density of 3000 μmol·m ^{− 2}·s ^{− 1}. The light-dependent O₂ evolution rate and the maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry declined more rapidly in photoautotrophically grown than in mixotrophically grown cells as a result of exposure to high photon flux density. Although both cultures recovered from the high photon flux density stress, the mixotrophic culture recovered faster and to a higher extent. Based on the above results, growth of S. platensis with a fixed carbon source has a significant effect on photosynthetic activity.     

Identification of a metabolic network structure representative of Arthrospira (spirulina) platensis metabolism

A comprehensive network structure for the autotrophic growth of Arthrospira platensis is proposed. The metabolic network was built up with 121 reactions and 134 metabolites including biomass synthesis, production of a growth-associated exopolysaccharide, and energy aspects. The model supports the existence of a metabolic shunt of PEP to pyruvate through PEP carboxylase, NAD(+)-dependent malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme to convert NADH,H(+) into NADPH,H(+). A limit in Arthrospira growth metabolism due to NADH,H(+) balancing is evidenced, explaining why the maximal light-dependent mass yield of the growth-associated exopolysaccharide was 0.51 kg EPS kg(-1) biomass, consistent with experimental results.     

The role of exopolysaccharides in fouling phenomenon during ultrafiltration of microalgae (Chlorella sp. and Porphyridium purpureum): Advantage of a swirling decaying flow

Ultrafiltration of two microalgae species, Chorellasp. and Porphyridium purpureum, has been performed in two filtration units of different configurations: a module generating a classical tangential-plane flow and another one inducing a swirling decaying flow. The swirling motion is generated by a unique tangential inlet at the bottom of an annulus. Permeation flux obtained in each ultrafiltration unit depends on the filtered species, and specific deposits are associated to each species and module. Enhancement in permeation flux in the swirling configuration compared with that obtained in the plane unit can reach 40% during the ultrafiltration of Porphyridium purpureum and is negligible for the suspensions of Chlorella sp. The experimental data revealed the significant role of the soluble compounds in the medium culture in terms of flux limitation. It seems that the soluble products and their interactions with the microalgal cells are strongly involved in the fouling mechanism.     

Growth characteristics of Arthrospira platensis cultured inside a new close-coil photobioreactor incorporating a mandrel to control culture temperature

The aim of this study was to investigate Arthrospira growth inside a new CCP incorporating a mandrel for culture temperature control. Some hydrodynamic aspects and photobioreactor performances were investigated as well. The bioreactor incorporated A. platensis grown under batch and semicontinuous conditions. Two systems were used to recycle Arthrospira cultures: a peristaltic pump and an airlift system. When the pump recycled the culture, we achieved a very high Dean number (De=3,950), which decreased a great deal when the pump was replaced with the airlift system. During outdoor Arthrospira batch growth, a cell concentration of 16.4 g (DW)l-1 was reached after 9 days. However, the maximum chlorophyll content of the biomass (2.0% of DW) was achieved on the fifth and sixth days. The highest daily biomass output rate was obtained using the airlift system, when the CCP was operated under a semicontinuous regime: the gross output rate was 2.85+/-0.37 g (DW) l-1 d-1 and the net was 2.32+/-0.11 g (DW) l-1 d-1. The advantages of the airlift system may be due to the low concentration of oxygen built up inside Arthrospira culture and the lack of cell damage due to the pump system. Thus, oxygen and pump stress may have been avoided.     

Analysis of protein fouling during ultrafiltration using a two-layer membrane model

Protein fouling can significantly alter both the flux and retention characteristics of ultrafiltration membranes. There has, however, been considerable controversy over the nature of this fouling layer. In this study, hydraulic permeability and dextran sieving data were obtained both before and after albumin adsorption and/or filtration using polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes. The dextran molecular weight distributions were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography to evaluate the sieving characteristics over a broad range of solute size. Protein fouling caused a significant reduction in the dextran sieving coefficients, with very different effects seen for the diffusive and convective contributions to dextran transport. The changes in dextran sieving coefficients and diffusive permeabilities were analyzed using a two-layer membrane model in which a distinct protein layer is assumed to form on the upstream surface of the membrane. The data suggest that the protein layer formed during filtration was more tightly packed than that formed by simple static adsorption. Hydrodynamic calculations indicated that the pore size of the protein layer remained relatively constant throughout the adsorption or filtration, but the thickness of this layer increased with increasing exposure time. These results provide important insights into the nature of protein fouling during ultrafiltration and its effects on membrane transport.     

Perforation patterns in the peptidoglycan wall of filamentous cyanobacteria

Ultrastructural studies were made on seven genera of filamentous cyanobacteria from Sections III and IV (in the Rippka classification): Oscillatoria limosa Ag. ex Gomont, Spirulina subsalsa Turp. ex Gomont, Crinalium epipsammum Crow, Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Born. et Flah., Anabaena variabilis Kützinger ex Born. et Flah., Arthrospira maxima Stizenb. ex Gomont, Arthrospira platensis Stizenb. ex Gomont, and Cyanospira rippkae Florenzano. Perforation types and their distribution in the peptidoglycan layer observed in Crinalium epipsammum Crow were similar to those in Oscillatoria limosa and two Arthrospira strains. In Cyanospira and Anabaena no junctional perforations in the peptidoglycan wall layer were observed; however, intracellular perforations were documented. Except for Spirulina , the perforations were organized in rows (up to 10) placed on both sides of the cross wall. In the Spirulina cross sections, perforations were found only in the thickened, inner part of the cell wall. The perforation patterns in Spirulina and Arthrospira strains were clearly different and justify the separation into different genera.     

Harvesting of Arthrospira platensis by flocculation with phytic acid from rice bran

ABSTRACT

The recovery of algal biomass is one of the critical steps involved in the commercial production of beneficial metabolites from Arthrospira platensis. Efficient and safe harvesting methods that do not sacrifice quality of final product are important for commercial application. Phytic acid (PA) is a natural non-toxic phytochemical widely distributed in plant tissues. Effect of PA from rice bran on the growth, trichome morphology such as spiral number and algal filament length, and harvesting efficiency of A. platensis were investigated. Cells aggregated into large cell flocs after the addition of PA in the medium, and algal spiral number and filament length increased. UV-vis spectra indicated the interactions between PA and algal cells. Adding PA at stationary growth phase is a good strategy for harvesting, since no adverse effect to biomass growth and harvesting efficiency. Harvesting efficiency of 95.69% at 0.5% (v/v) PA was superior to other conventional harvesting methodologies.     

Surfactant pretreatment of a polysulfone ultrafilter for reduction of antifoam fouling

Effectiveness of surfactant precoat treatment of the polysulfone ultrafilter was first investigated for reduction of membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of antifoam. Fifteen different surfactants, including alcohols and synthetic nonionic surfactants, were tested. In general, pretreatment with nonionic surfactant gave a larger flux than that with alcohol did. The flux increase by pretreatment with nonionic surfactant depended on a hydrophile lipophile balance (HLB) value and type of hydrophobic tail. The most effective surfactant for reducing antifoam fouling among the 15 surfactants was Brij-58 which has an HLB value of 16 and a straight alkyl hydrophobic chain. The ultrafiltration flux of the membrane treated with Brij-58 was almost three times larger than that of untreated membrane. The precoat treatment with Brij-58 was the most effective for reducing antifoam fouling in terms of rejection properties.Furthermore, flux was also improved by the surfactant pretreatment in ultrafiltration of model process streams, such as fermentation media, broth, and yeast suspension with or without antifoam. The surfactant Brij-58 was found to be more effective for reducing membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of model stream YG compared with ethanol or Brij-35. The mean flux increase by the pretreatment with Brij-58 was about 80% in ultrafiltration of the model stream without antifoam. When antifoam was added to the model stream, flux was almost doubled by the pretreatment with Brij-58. The effectiveness of surfactant precoat treatment for reducing membrane fouling was also confirmed in terms of rejection properties. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Harvesting of Spirulina platensis by cellular flotation and growth stage determination

AIM: To investigate an effective harvesting method for Spirulina platensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty per cent of S. platensis cells in the logarithmic growth phase were harvested by flotation when the cells were set in a static condition for 2 h. The optimum harvesting time was about day 6 of cultivation. The flotation activity of S. platensis cells was enhanced by the addition of NaCl. CONCLUSIONS: The harvesting of S. platensis by flotation is a cost-effective and straightforward method that can retain the algal quality. The optimum harvesting time of S. platensis can be predicted by the cellular protein to carbon ratio. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Flotation harvesting is also applicable to other cyanobacteria with gas vesicles.     

Influence of a swirl motion on the interaction between microalgal cells and environmental medium during ultrafiltration of a culture of Tetraselmis suecica

The role of the environmental medium of a marine microalga culture (Tetraselmis suecica) in membrane fouling phenomenon is quantified for two ultrafiltration units: one generating a classical tangential plane flow and another involving a swirling decaying flow induced by a tangential inlet. Compared to the plane unit, the swirling configuration increases the performances of the ultrafiltration process (augmentation of 20% in terms of limiting flux). Interactions between the culture medium and cells depend on the module design. Furthermore, experiments emphasize the significant role of the particles whatever the module design: more than 70% of the total hydraulic resistance could be due to the microalgal cells, while about 30% of membrane fouling is relevant to soluble materials.     

Successive membrane separation processes simplify concentration of lipases produced by Aspergillus niger by solid-state fermentation

In this study, we developed a simplified method for producing, separating, and concentrating lipases derived from solid-state fermentation of agro-industrial residues by filamentous fungi. First, we used Aspergillus niger to produce lipases with hydrolytic activity. We analyzed the separation and concentration of enzymes using membrane separation processes. The sequential use of microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes made it possible to obtain concentrates with enzymatic activities much higher than those in the initial extract. The permeate flux was higher than 60 L/m² h during microfiltration using 20- and 0.45-µm membranes and during ultrafiltration using 100- and 50-kDa membranes, where fouling was reversible during the filtration steps, thereby indicating that the fouling may be removed by cleaning processes. These results demonstrate the feasibility of lipase production using A. niger by solid-state fermentation of agro-industrial residues, followed by successive tangential filtration with membranes, which simplify the separation and concentration steps that are typically required in downstream processes.

     

Kinetic and growth parameters of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis cultivated in tubular photobioreactor under different cell circulation systems

Arthrospira platensis was cultivated in tubular photobioreactor in order to evaluate growth and biomass production at variable photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD = 60, 120, and 240 μmol photons m(-2)s(-1)) and employing three different systems for cell circulation, specifically an airlift, a motor-driven pumping and a pressurized system. The influence of these two independents variables on the maximum cell concentration (X(m)), cell productivity (P(x)), nitrogen-to-cell conversion factor (Y(X/N) ), photosynthetic efficiency (PE), and biomass composition (total lipids and proteins), taken as responses, was evaluated by analysis of variance. The statistical analysis revealed that the best combination of responses' mean values (X(m) = 4,055 mg L(-1), P(x) = 406 mg L(-1)day(-1), Y(X/N) = 5.07 mg mg(-1), total lipids = 8.94%, total proteins = 30.3%, PE = 2.04%) was obtained at PPFD = 120 μmol photons m(-2)s(-1); therefore, this light intensity should be considered as the most well-suited for A. platensis cultivation in this photobioreactor configuration. The airlift system did not exert any significant positive statistical influence on the responses, which suggests that this traditional cell circulation system could successfully be substituted by the others tested in this work.     

Protein,phycocyanin, and polysaccharide production by Arthrospira platensis grown with LED light in annular photobioreactors

Journal of Applied Phycology - Arthrospira platensis is a cyanobacterium known for its widespread use as nutraceutical and food additive. Besides a high protein content, this microorganism is also...     

低温对螺旋藻可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸外渗的影响

以鄂尔多斯高原碱湖特有的钝顶螺旋藻S1、引进的钝顶螺旋藻S2和极大螺旋藻S3为材料,采用Folin法和茚三酮法分别测定低温下细胞外渗液中可溶性蛋白和游离氮基酸含量。结果表明：处理温度越低,时间越长,螺旋藻细胞外渗液中可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸的含量越高。S1膜损伤程度最轻,比引进种S2、S3有较强的抗寒能力。判断低温对螺旋藻膜损伤的程度,用可溶性蛋白较游离氨基酸更接近于实际。