Utilization of wastewater for microalgal cultivation
AssigneePhycoil Biotechnology International, Inc.
InventorsJane Kim, Chung-Soon Im
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Abstract
Bioreactors and methods for cultivating microalgae under heterotrophic growth conditions using fruit wastewater as a carbon source are provided herein. The heterotrophic growth conditions include low irradiance of light sufficient to initiate light-activated metabolism, but not photosynthesis. The methods provide a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for converting wastewater from dried fruit and wine industries into products like biofuels.
Claims16
A method for cultivating a microalgae capable of heterotrophic growth by providing a light signal to initiate a light-activated metabolism, comprising:
- incubating the microalgae under a heterotrophic growth condition for a period of time sufficient to allow the microalgae to grow, wherein the heterotrophic growth condition comprises a media comprising a fruit wastewater, and wherein the heterotrophic growth condition further comprises light having a wavelength between 360 and 700 nm, required to initiate the light-activated metabolism, and the intensity of the light is less than 0.8 μmol photons/m2s,
- wherein the light-activated metabolism includes a life cycle, a circadian rhythm, cell division, a biosynthetic pathway, or a transport system,
- wherein the microalgae is a Botryococcus sudeticus (UTEX 2629) strain or a Neochloris oleabundans (UTEX 1185) strain,
- wherein the irradiation of the light is applied in a cyclic pattern of light and dark at a ratio between 6 hours (light):
- 18 hours (dark) or 23 hours (light):
- 1 hours (dark).
A culture for cultivating a microalgae capable of heterotrophic growth, wherein the culture comprises the microalgae placed under a heterotrophic growth condition for a period of time sufficient to allow the microalgae to grow, wherein the heterotrophic growth condition comprises a media comprising a fruit wastewater, and wherein the heterotrophic growth condition further comprises light having a wavelength between 360 and 700 nm, required to initiate a light-activated metabolism, and the intensity of the light is less than 0.8 μmol photons/m2s,
- wherein the light-activated metabolism includes a life cycle, a circadian rhythm, cell division, a biosynthetic pathway, or a transport system,
- wherein the microalgae is a Botryococcus sudeticus (UTEX 2629) strain, or a Neochloris oleabundans (UTEX 1185) strain,
- wherein the irradiation of the light is applied in a cyclic pattern of light and dark at a ratio between 6 hours (light):
- 18 hours (dark) or 23 hours (light):
- 1 hours (dark).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.