Bioprospecting, characterization and optimization of Brazilian microalgal strains for CO2 biofixation and bioproducts of commercial importance

• Grant number: 18/07988-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Ana Teresa Lombardi
• Grantee: Ana Teresa Lombardi
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Armando Augusto Henriques Vieira ; Maria da Graça Gama Melão
• Associated researchers: Adriano Polpo de Campos ; Antonio Carlos Luperni Horta ; Artur Placeres Neto ; Camila Manoel Crnkovic ; Christopher Parrish ; Clovis Wesley Oliveira de Souza ; Denise Bevilaqua ; Inessa Lacativa Bagatini ; José Bonomi Barufi ; Juergen Polle ; Leonardo Rubi Rorig ; Mathias Ahii Chia ; Melina Guimaraes ; Ondrej Prasil ; Paula Cristina Garcia Manoel Crnkovic
• Associated research grant(s): 23/01410-0 - Taxonomy, phylogeny and influence of Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd) concentration on the morphology and ecophysiology of Desmids (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae)., AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/11615-8 - Physiological study of Chlorella vulgaris in Dairy Industry Effluent, BP.IC; 21/12994-7 - Proteomic analysis, production and manipulation of biomolecules in Chlorophyta e Cyanobacteria: a cell stimulus approach, BP.DD; 21/13817-1 - Investigating Chlorolobium braunii on a laboratory scale: a physiological approach to understanding the synergistic effect of copper and LED colors, BP.IC; + associated scholarships 22/01939-8 - Axenic strains maintenance and applications of protocols for cryopreserved bank maintenance, BP.TT; 20/15953-7 - The role of NaCL on the physiology and biomolecules production in the microalga Curvastrum pantanale, BP.IC; 20/12575-1 - Characterization of the cyanobacteria Rhabdoderma lineare: a physiological, biochemical and metabolic approach, BP.IC; 20/15688-1 - Defining the best cultivation systems for scaling up different microalgae species (species selected in the previous stages of the thematic project), BP.PD; 20/12508-2 - Prospection and physiology of Brazilian microalgae: biochemical potential, biological activity and metabolomic analysis, BP.DD; 20/04619-9 - Biotechnological strategy for inducing the synthesis of biomolecules in Ankistrodesmus fusiformis: a chemical stress study, BP.IC; 19/07579-0 - Characterization of microalgae for CO2 biofixation and manipulation of its biochemical composition for industrial applications, BP.DR; 19/16273-2 - The production of biomolecules in microlagae: process improvement in laboratory and large scales, BP.DD; 19/03177-5 - Applications of the biodiversity of native microalgae in Brazil: importance of taxonomic, systematic and molecular phylogeny., BP.PD; 19/14152-3 - The effects of manipulation of environmental conditions in photosynthesis and value-added biomolecules yield in Kirchneriella contorta, BP.IC; 19/01930-8 - Influence of the physiological state on the freezing of freshwater microalgae: obtaining the best viability rates and measurement of functional stability of the samples after freezing, BP.PD; 19/02503-6 - Copper as biomolecule manipulating agent in microalgae cultures (scales 100 to 400 L), BP.TT - associated scholarships

Abstract

This proposal focuses on microalgae physiology and biotechnology, starting from test tubes towards scaling up, in search for robust microalgae and their products that may be of commercial interest. Our goal is to identify strains that present high biomass yields and produce intracellular biomolecules with antioxidant, antibacterial, lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid, fatty acid, phytosterols and/or terpenoid properties, and/or extracellular polysaccharides with tensoactive properties. Our project has two main objectives, the prospecting of biomolecules with CO2 biofixation, and the production of biochemically characterized biomass. We include here the identification of strains from the Freshwater Microalgae Culture Collection (UFSCar), and the study of cryopreservation in light of physiological characterization as a guarantee for further germination. We will prospect about 300 strains, establish a library of extracts, and select strains for scaling up (100 - 1000 L). Due to the interdisciplinary nature of our proposed project, we integrate a multidisciplinary and interinstitutional team into cohesive working groups. In the laboratory, strains that produce exopolysaccharides/mucilage capsules will be tested for tensing properties. The biofixation of CO2 permeates all stages of this proposal as it is the basis for photosynthetic metabolism. In this regard, we intend to conclude with a model that facilitates the quantitation of the fixed gas, currently an unresolved issue. In relation to biomolecules, we will prospect for antioxidant, antibacterial, total lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids profiles, phytosterols, terpenes and energy potential. We will start the project with the goal of screening 60 strains/year. From the total of 300 strains, we will down-select to the 10 most promising strains based on CO2 biofixation, robustness in culture and biomolecules of interest. For these down-selected strains, we will apply biochemical manipulation through abiotic stress to increase the synthesis and accumulation of intracellular biomolecules. With the triad biofixation of CO2, robustness in cultivation, and biomolecules we will scale up to 100 - 500 L (greenhouse), and from these we will go to 1000 L cultures (planar and thin layer photobioreactors) with strains of best performance, which will be investigated through transcriptomics to learn the about metabolic routes of biomolecule and biomass production. The results obtained will be an important contribution to sectors of the society interested in the production of microalgae and/or biofixation of CO2, and to those that need to make such interest feasible, adding value to the biomass. In addition, we will contribute to basic information to phycology and keep a library of extracts with biologically and chemically characterized strains of microalgae available to the community. (AU)

Scientific publications

(29)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CAMARGO, EDUARDO CAFFAGNI; ROSSI, RAQUEL ANDRADE; SILVA, JAQUELINE CARMO; MIWA, ADRIANA CRISTINA POLI; PRASIL, ONDREJ; CALIJURI, MARIA DO CARMO; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. omparing pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry with radiocarbon technique for determination of inorganic carbon fixation in Chlorella vulgaris (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta. European Journal of Phycology, v. 57, n. 1, APR 2021. (18/07988-5)

ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA; ESPINDOLA, EVALDO L. G.. Combination of P-limitation and cadmium in photosynthetic responses of the freshwater microalga Ankistrodesmus densus (Chlorophyceae). Environmental Pollution, v. 275, APR 15 2021. (18/07988-5, 15/25436-1)

DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GAMA MELA, MARIA DA GRACA. Using multiple endpoints to assess the toxicity of cadmium and cobalt for chlorophycean Raphidocelis subcapitata. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, v. 208, JAN 15 2021. (16/00753-7, 18/07988-5)

GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE SILVA; GAMA MELAO, MARIA GRACA. Zinc and aluminum mixtures have synergic effects to the algae Raphidocelis subcapitata at environmental concentrations. Chemosphere, v. 242, MAR 2020. (16/00753-7, 14/14139-3, 18/07988-5)

BARRETO, DANIELA MARIANO; TONIETTO, ALESSANDRA EMANUELE; DA SILVA OLIVEIRA, EVERTON WILLIAN RODRIGUES; AMARAL, CLARICE DIAS BRITTO; PULGROSSI, RAFAEL CATOIA; POLPO, ADRIANO; NOBREGA, JOAQUIM ARAUJO; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Photosynthesis-related responses of Chlorella sorokiniana (Trebouxiophyceae) to environmentally relevant concentrations of Cu nanoparticles. PHYCOLOGIA, v. 62, n. 4, p. 9-pg., 2023-06-15. (18/07988-5)

AOYAGI, LEONARDO MURILO; BARACHO, DOUGLAS HENRIQUE; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Low-dose copper and blue light increases the yield of value-added biomolecules in Kirchneriella contorta (Chlorophyceae). JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-19. (19/14152-3, 18/07988-5)

GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; ASSIS, MARCELO; MOREIRA, AILTON JOSE; SANTOS, MYKAELLI ANDRADE; PEREIRA, THALLES MARANESI; VIRTUOSO, LUCIANO SINDRA; MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA GAMA; et al. Harmful effects of the semiconductor copper tungstate (CuWO4) on multiple photosynthetic parameters of the green microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY, v. 279, p. 8-pg., 2025-01-15. (14/14139-3, 18/07988-5, 21/13607-7, 21/13583-0, 22/06219-3, 13/07296-2)

DEXTRO, RAFAEL BARTY; FIALHO, LUCIMAR LOPES; NOBREGA, JOAQUIM DE ARAUJO; POLPO, ADRIANO; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Response patterns of the freshwater green microalgae Kirchneriella obesa (Chlorophyta, Sphaeropleales) to free copper ions. PHYCOLOGIA, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2025-01-19. (18/07988-5)

GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; SOUZA, JAQUELINE PEROLA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA; SARMENTO, HUGO; GAMA MELAO, MARIADA GRACA. Photosynthetic, morphological and biochemical biomarkers as tools to investigate copper oxide nanoparticle toxicity to a freshwater chlorophyceae. Environmental Pollution, v. 265, n. A, OCT 2020. (18/07988-5, 16/00753-7, 14/14139-3)

RAFAEL BARTY DEXTRO. Dinâmica de crescimento no co-cultivo de duas microalgas Chlorophyta expostas ao cobre.. Acta Limnol. Bras., v. 33, 2021-06-21. (18/07988-5)

DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; GAMA MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA. Effects of cadmium and cobalt mixtures on growth and photosynthesis of Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY, v. 244, p. 8-pg., 2022-01-25. (18/07988-5)

DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; ALVARENGA, LAIS MENDES; VIRTUOSO, LUCIANO SINDRA; ASSIS, MARCELO; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; LONGO, ELSON; et al. Toxicity of alpha-Ag2WO4 microcrystals to freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata at cellular and population levels. Chemosphere, v. 288, n. 2, FEB 2022. (18/07988-5, 13/07296-2)

SILVA, JAQUELINE CARMO; QUIROS, SANDRA ESCALANTE; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA; FIGUEROA, FELIX LOPEZ. Biomass, photosynthetic activity, and biomolecule composition in Chlorella fusca (Chlorophyta) cultured in a raceway pond operated under greenhouse conditions. Journal of Biotechnology, v. 367, p. 8-pg., 2023-04-17. (19/07579-0, 18/07988-5)

DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; LONGO, ELSON; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA GAMA. Effects of Cadmium and Nickel Mixtures on Multiple Endpoints of the Microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2024-06-12. (13/07296-2, 18/07988-5, 21/13583-0, 21/13607-7)

STABLEIN, MICHAEL J.; BARACHO, DOUGLAS H.; WATSON, JAMISON T.; SILVA, JAQUELINE C.; ZHANG, YUANHUI; LOMBARDI, ANA T.. Microalgal photosynthetic inhibition and mixotrophic growth in Post Hydrothermal Liquefaction Wastewater (PHW). ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS, v. 60, DEC 2021. (18/07988-5, 19/07579-0)

CANDIDO, CAMILA; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Mixotrophy in green microalgae grown on an organic and nutrient rich waste. WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, v. 36, n. 2, JAN 18 2020. (18/07988-5)

CASTRO, MURYLLO SANTOS; SILVA, JAQUELINE CARMO; MACHADO, BRUNO ROSWAG; GUIMARAES, PABLO SANTOS; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA; MARTINS, CAMILA DE MARTINEZ GASPAR; ZANETTE, JULIANO. Differential Effects of Atrazine on Chlorophyceae Species and Association with Morphology, Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll Content, and Glutathione-S-Transferase Activity. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 41, n. 7, p. 11-pg., 2022-06-10. (18/07988-5)

DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS OLIVEIRA; ALVARENGA, LAIS MENDES; VIRTUOSO, LUCIANO SINDRA; ASSIS, MARCELO; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; LONGO, ELSON; et al. Effects of alpha-Ag2WO4 crystals on photosynthetic efficiency and biomolecule composition of the algae Raphidocelis subcapitata. WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION, v. 233, n. 4, p. 11-pg., 2022-04-01. (13/07296-2, 18/07988-5)

GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; GAMA MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA. Individual and Combined Effects of Manganese and Chromium on a Freshwater Chlorophyceae. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 41, n. 4, p. 12-pg., 2022-02-02. (18/07988-5, 16/00753-7)

CAMARGO, EDUARDO CAFFAGNI; ROSSI, RAQUEL ANDRADE; SILVA, JAQUELINE CARMO; MIWA, ADRIANA CRISTINA POLI; PRASIL, ONDREJ; CALIJURI, MARIA DO CARMO; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Comparing pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry with radiocarbon technique for determination of inorganic carbon fixation in Chlorella vulgaris (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). European Journal of Phycology, v. 57, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2021-04-03. (18/07988-5)

CANDIDO, CAMILA; CARDOSO, LUCAS GUIMARAES; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Bioprospecting and selection of tolerant strains and productive analyses of microalgae grown in vinasse. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, v. 53, n. 2, p. 11-pg., 2022-02-09. (18/07988-5)

GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; GONCALVES ALHO, LAYS DE OLIVEIRA; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; MOREIRA, RAQUEL APARECIDA; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; GAMA MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA. Toxicity and Risk Assessment of Zinc and Aluminum Mixtures to Ceriodaphnia silvestrii (Crustacea: Cladocera). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 40, n. 10, SEP 2021. (17/24126-4, 18/07988-5, 14/14139-3)

BARRETO, DANIELA MARIANO; TONIETTO, ALESSANDRA EMANUELE; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Environmental concentrations of copper nanoparticles affect vital functions in Ankistrodesmus densus. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY, v. 231, FEB 2021. (18/07988-5)

GUEDES, VANESSA CAMPOS; PALMA, GUILHERME MENEGHETTI; HORTA, ANTONIO CARLOS LUPERNI. An evaluation of light wavelengths, intensity and control for the production of microalgae in photobioreactors: a review. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2023-08-28. (18/07988-5, 17/23950-5)

DAUDA, SULEIMAN; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Environmentally relevant copper concentrations stimulate photosynthesis in Monoraphidium sp.. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH, v. 155, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2022-10-20. (18/07988-5)

GUEDES, VANESSA CAMPOS; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA; HORTA, ANTONIO CARLOS LUPERNI. Polychromatic controller of photosynthetically active radiation applied to microalgae. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2023-01-05. (18/07988-5, 17/23950-5)

DOS REIS, LARISSA LUIZA; DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; LONGO, ELSON; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA GAMA. Isolated and combined effects of cobalt and nickel on the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. ECOTOXICOLOGY, v. 33, n. 1, p. 15-pg., 2024-01-18. (13/07296-2, 18/07988-5, 21/13583-0, 21/13607-7)

DAUDA, SULEIMAN; LOMBARDI, ANA TERESA. Photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of Ankistrodesmus flexuosus and Curvastrum pantanale to environmentally relevant copper concentrations. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, v. 176, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2024-01-01. (18/07988-5)

DE ABREU, CINTHIA BRUNO; GEBARA, RENAN CASTELHANO; ROCHA, GISELI SWERTS; MANSANO, ADRISLAINE DA SILVA; ASSIS, MARCELO; PEREIRA, THALLES MARANESI; VIRTUOSO, LUCIANO SINDRA; MOREIRA, AILTON JOSE; SANTOS, MYKAELLI ANDRADE; MELAO, MARIA DA GRACA GAMA; et al. The effects of nickel tungstate nanoparticles (NiWO₄ NPs) on freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae). INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2025-01-09. (18/07988-5, 21/13607-7, 21/13583-0, 22/06219-3, 13/07296-2)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project