Exploiting mixotrophy for improving productivities of biomass and co-products of microalgae. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pang, Na; Gu, Xiangyu; Chen, Shulin; Kirchhoff, Helmut; Lei, Hanwu; Roje, Sanja
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 112(2019)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 460
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Mixotrophic cultivation -- Organic carbon -- Photosynthesis -- Biofuels -- Bioproducts -- Carbon recycle -- Wastewater treatment; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2019.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Microalgae biomass as a sustainable feedstock has become an attractive alternative to traditional terrestrial plants for production of renewable chemicals and biofuels. However, achieving high productivity remains as a major challenge in commercial applications. Mixotrophic culture is gaining increasing attention because the metabolic capability of some microalgae to use both photosynthesis and organic carbon leads to higher productivity than either phototrophic or heterotrophic process alone. The potential of mixotrophy for mass algal cultivation should be fully explored. In this review, the superior productivity of mixotrophic cultivation of different algal species was compared with those of phototrophic and heterotrophic culture; The synergism of carbon and energy mechanism of mixotrophic growth was discussed; Particularly, the uniqueness of metabolic regulation of microalgae under mixotrophic culture in terms of carbon recycling and forms of carbon utilized was illustrated; The application in wastewater treatment of mixotrophic culture for uptaking nutrients and organics was discussed. Additionally, the opportunities and challenges of large-scale microalgae production were proposed along with summaries of advancement in various mixotrophic culture technologies. The current literature collectively supports the great potential of mixotrophic culture in enhancing productivities of microalgal biomass and bioproducts with synergy of light and organic carbons metabolism. The findings provide insights for comprehensive understanding the key role of interaction of light and carbons on the enhancement of microalgal biomass and bioproducts under mixotrophic conditions and suggest mixotrophic algal culture should be one of the priority topics for both future research and commercialization efforts. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Enhanced biosynthesis of mixotrophy results in high productivity of microalgae. The synergy of photosynthesis and carbon metabolism makes mixotrophy advantageous. Carbon recycle in mixotrophic microalgae facilitates organic carbon utilization. Mixotrophic microalgae culture serving for wastewater treatment was reviewed. Mixotrophy should be a high priority for algal research and commercialization.