Influence of Photoperiods on Microalgae Biofilm: Photosynthetic Performance, Biomass Yield, and Cellular Composition

Xinru Zhang, Hao Yuan, Libo Guan, Xinyu Wang, Yi Wang, Zeyi Jiang, Limei Cao and Xinxin Zhang
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Xinru Zhang: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Hao Yuan: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Libo Guan: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Xinyu Wang: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yi Wang: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Zeyi Jiang: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Limei Cao: School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Xinxin Zhang: School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: Microalgae have immense potential as biological sources to produce biofuels and high-value biomolecules. Biofilm-based microalgae cultivation has attracted much interest recently because of its high biomass productivity, reduced water use, and low cost of harvesting. This study aimed to understand the effect of photoperiod on three microalgae biofilms, including Nannochloris oculata, Chlorella sp., and Chlorella pyrenoidosa . The examined photoperiods were 3:3 s, 5:5 s, 30:30 min, 12:12 h (light-period-to-dark-period ratio), and continuous lighting. By determining the maximum quantum yield and relative electron transport rate of photosystem II, we found that photoperiods on the seconds scale improved photosynthetic performance of microalgae biofilm. Biomass yield and lipid content of these three microalgae cultured under the photoperiod with the seconds scale increased by 11%–24% and 7%–22%, respectively, compared with those cultured under continuous lighting. In addition, the photoperiods of 3:3 s, 5:5 s, 30:30 min, and 12:12 h were beneficial for protein synthesis. These results have important implications in establishing suitable light regimes for microalgae biofilm-based cultivation systems.

Keywords: microalgae biofilm; photoperiod; photosynthetic performance; biomass; biofuel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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