FUEL MAKING ALGAE

Real-time non-invasive characterization and selection of oil-producing microalgae at the single-cell level

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'In this proposal we will pursue two main research topics geared towards an efficient preparation of new production-optimized algae cultures in a photobioreactor: - Characterization of the physiological state of individual microalgal cells - the characterization of the nutrient status of microalgae for rapid monitoring of nutrient dynamics and metabolism of algae on the single-cell level (in-vivo, and in real-time) within the photobioreactor The determination of the quantitative information on the degree of unsaturation of the bio-oil of individual microalgal cells. - Identifying and optimizing microalgal species for biofuel production - algae production (optimization of the growth process, cell density, and lipid contents) for selected species and selection of the cells according to the metabolic parameters for cultivation in the photobioreactor. This will lead to the identification and selection of the best possible algal strains - „superior“ algae - for the mass production of commercial biofuel. In order to achieve the above goals, we will exploit an experimental technique based on the combination of optical micromanipulation with Raman microspectroscopy – so-called Raman tweezers. The analyzed cells will be spatially confined in suspension using an optical trap and, simultaneously, their chemical composition corresponding to the cell metabolic state will be studied using the Raman spectroscopy. The studied cells will be sorted according to their metabolic state using microfluidic systems in order to elucidate fundamental questions about intercellular variability and what governs it. Moreover, knowing the metabolic response on a single cell level can significantly contribute to the study and use of microalgae in systems biology and biofuel technology. Raman spectroscopy is capable to measure nutrient dynamics and metabolism in vivo, in real-time, and label free making it possible to monitor/evaluate population variability within the photobioreactor.'

Descrizione progetto (Article)

In addition to producing oils, algae have high growth rates and do not compete with food crops for arable land. However, maximising oil content is critical to commercialisation.

The biofuel potential of algal oil is largely related to the degree of saturation of its fatty acids, of which iodine content is an indicator. The higher the iodine content, the lower the saturation and the less suitable the algae are for biofuel.

EU-funded scientists developed a way to monitor, evaluate and sort single cells in vivo and in real-time with work on the project FUEL MAKING ALGAE. The focus was on cellular metabolism and metabolites as well as optimisation of photo bioreactor conditions.

Scientists exploited state of the art Raman tweezers and Raman spectroscopy to trap the single algal cells and assess their iodine contents. They developed a chemometric - multivariate analysis program in Matlab to analyse the spectra. Microfluidic channels for cell confinement and delivery were produced using soft lithography.

FUEL MAKING ALGAE researchers developed and tested the algal sorting device that uses the Raman tweezers and microfluidic chip. Further, they demonstrated the ability to estimate lipid/iodine levels in single algal cells real time, in vivo and non-invasively.

The technology has great potential for enhancing lipid production in algae. It can be used to select inherently good producers and to modify nutritional or cultivation conditions such as physiological stress, light or carbon availability. Widespread implementation could ensure a large army of small organisms positively impacts global energy security and climate change.