RT Journal Article
T1 Performance of Chlorella sorokiniana under simulated extreme winter conditions
A1 Cuaresma Franco, María
A1 Buffing, Marieke F
A1 Janssen, Marcel
A1 Vílchez Lobato, Carlos
A1 Wijffels, René H.
AB High annual microalgae productivities can only be achieved if solar light is efficiently used through the different seasons. During winter the productivity is low because of the light and temperature conditions. The productivity and photosynthetic efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana were assessed under the worst-case scenario found during winter time in Huelva, south of Spain. The maximum light intensity (800 μmol photons m-2 s-1) and temperature (20°C) during winter were simulated in a labscale photobioreactor with a short light-path of 14 mm. Chemostat conditions were applied and the results were compared with a temperature-controlled situation at 38°C (optimal growth temperature for C. sorokiniana). When temperature was optimal the highest productivity was foundat a dilution rate of 0.18 h-1 (Pv=0.28 g Kg-1 h-1), and the biomass yield on light energy was high (Yx,E=1.2 gmol-1 photons supplied). However, at suboptimal temperature, the specific growth rate of C. sorokiniana was surprisingly low, not being able to support continuous operation at a dilutionrate higher than 0.02 h-1. The slow metabolism under suboptimal temperature resulted in a decline of the light energy requirements of the cells. Consequently, the maximum winter irradiance was experienced as excessive, leading to a low photosynthetic efficiency and productivity (Yx,E=0.5 g mol-1 photons supplied, Pv=0.1 g Kg-1 h-1). At suboptimal temperature a higher carotenoid-to-chlorophyll ratio was observed indicating the activation of light dissipating processes. We conclude that temperature control and/or light dilution during winter time will enhance the productivity.
PB Springer
SN 1573-5176 (electrónico)
YR 2011
FD 2011-06-07
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/24964
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/24964
LA eng
NO Cuaresma, M., Buffing, M.F., Janssen. M., Vílchez, C., Wijffels, R.H. (2012) Performance of Chlorella sorokiniana under simulated extreme winter conditions. Journal of Applied Phycology 24: 693-699
NO This work was financially supported by the University of Huelva and Junta de Andalucía (Proyectos de Excelencia, AGR-4337) in Spain, and a SenterNovem subsidy (The Netherlands) in the frame of the “Unieke Kans Regeling” program,grant number 02013, with Technogrow BV as industrial partner
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 30 may 2026