PR 00136: verschil tussen versies

Versie van 16 nov 2017 11:04

Microalgae are considered as a very promising alternative for many applications in industry such as cosmetics, food, feed and biofuel production. The main advantage of microalgae is their high productivity compared to conventional crops, their ability to sustainably produce proteins, carotenoids, fatty acids and carbohydrates and they can be cultivated at non-arable land.

The ability of these microorganisms to readily adapt to growth fluctuating conditions, attributed to their metabolic flexibility, constitutes an advantage in modulating their biomass composition for commercial purposes. Thus, strategies like the manipulation of parameters such as media nutrient concentrations can be used in order to modify the nature, amount and composition of the product synthesized.

Photons can be absorbed as energy source. Light intensity influences the light use efficiency. In microalgae low irradiance may limit photosynthesis, but high irradiance may cause photo inhibition. Hence, irradiance can influence the production and composition in microalgae. As a result it may be possible to optimize growth and desirable biochemical quality by manipulating light intensity.

In this research the microalgae diatom Skeletonema costatum will be examined. The influence of light intensity and temperature on the behavior of Skeletonema and the results on the photosynthetic yield will be obtained. Biological parameters to describe this behavior will be studied using lab scale photo-bioreactors (PBRS).

Research type: literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen)

Research level: BSc./ MSc. internship / final thesis

Prerequisite: good understanding of algae cultivation; biochemistry; good analytical skills; communicative; independent.

Partners: Wageningen UR, several Small and Medium (Aquaculture) Enterprises, national and international knowledge partners, Centre of Expertise Delta Technology

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Christos Latsos)

Period: 2nd semester 2017-2018

Status: Open

@@ Regel 1: / Regel 1: @@
-The concept of constant element composition of planktonic biomass in the oceans of C:N:P of 106:16:1 (by atoms) was developed by Redfield (1935) and has been a cornerstone in algal physiology and oceanography. Since the nitrate-to-phosphate ratio of the deep ocean closely resembles particulate N:P ratio, it has been inferred that both elements may potentially limit phytoplankton growth.
+Microalgae are considered as a very promising alternative for many applications in industry such as cosmetics, food, feed and biofuel production. The main advantage of microalgae is their high productivity compared to conventional crops, their ability to sustainably produce proteins, carotenoids, fatty acids and carbohydrates and they can be cultivated at non-arable land.
-In this research we will examine how variations in the nitrate-to-phosphate ratio of the growth medium affect the particulate N:P in batch cultures of ''Skeletonema costatum'' at irradiances that limit and saturate growth rate. Batch cultures have the advantage of mimicking the onset of nutrient limitation, while the cells are in a transient state. The main focus is the extent to which the elemental stoichiometry of phytoplankton, at various growth stages reflects the nutrient elemental  composition of the culture medium. In tandem with the increase of biomass, the decline of dissolved inorganic N and P will be monitored. Finally the changes in composition of ''Skeletonema costatum'' during the course of the batch culture will be tested.
+The ability of these microorganisms to readily adapt to growth fluctuating conditions, attributed to their metabolic flexibility, constitutes an advantage in modulating their biomass composition for commercial purposes. Thus, strategies like the manipulation of parameters such as media nutrient concentrations can be used in order to modify the nature, amount and composition of the product synthesized.
+Photons can be absorbed as energy source. Light intensity influences the light use efficiency. In microalgae low irradiance may limit photosynthesis, but high irradiance may cause photo inhibition. Hence, irradiance can influence the production and composition in microalgae. As a result it may be possible to optimize growth and desirable biochemical quality by manipulating light intensity.
+In this research the microalgae diatom ''Skeletonema costatum'' will be examined. The influence of light intensity and temperature on the behavior of ''Skeletonema'' and the results on the photosynthetic yield will be obtained. Biological parameters to describe this behavior will be studied using lab scale photo-bioreactors (PBRS).
 '''Research type:''' literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen)

PR 00136: verschil tussen versies

Versie van 16 nov 2017 11:04

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