Photosynthetic efficiency and rate of CO2 assimilation by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis continuously cultivated in a tubular photobioreactor

Autor(es)

Matsudo, Marcelo Chuei ^[1] ; Bezerra, Raquel Pedrosa ^{[1, 2]} ; Sato, Sunao ^[1] ; Converti, Attilio ^[2] ; Monteiro de Carvalho, Joao Carlos ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem & Pharmaceut Technol, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Genoa, Dept Chem & Proc Engn GB Bonino, Genoa - Italy

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Biotechnology Journal; v. 7, n. 11 NOV 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 6

Resumo

Similar to other photosynthetic microorganisms, the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis can be used to produce pigments, single cell proteins, fatty acids (which can be used for bioenergy), food and feed supplements, and biofixation of CO2. Cultivation in a specifically designed tubular photobioreactor is suitable for photosynthetic biomass production, because the cultivation area can be reduced by distributing the microbial cells vertically, thus avoiding loss of ammonia and CO2. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of light intensity and dilution rate on the photosynthetic efficiency and CO2 assimilation efficiency of A. platensis cultured in a tubular photobioreactor in a continuous process. Urea was used as a nitrogen source and CO2 as carbon source and for pH control. Steady-state conditions were achieved in most of the runs, indicating that continuous cultivation of this cyanobacterium in a tubular photobioreactor could be an interesting alternative for the large-scale fixation of CO2 to mitigate the greenhouse effect while producing high protein content biomass. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 06/54960-1 - Cultivo continuo de spirulina platensis (arthrospira) em reator tubular utilizando ureia como fonte de nitrogenio e co2 puro ou proveniente de fermentacao alcoolica.
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Chuei Matsudo
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 06/56976-2 - Cultivo de Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira) em reator tubular utilizando ureia como fonte de nitrogênio e CO2 puro ou proveniente de fermentação alcoólica
• Beneficiário: João Carlos Monteiro de Carvalho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular