Hydrogen photoproduction by immobilized S-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii : Effect of light intensity and spectrum, and initial medium pH

Carbon dioxide capture, sequestration, and utilization models for carbon management and transformation

The elevated level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has become a pressing concern for environmental health due to its contribution to climate change and global warming. Simultaneously, the energy crisis is a significant issue for both developed and developing nations. In response to these challenges, carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization (CCSU) have emerged as promising solutions within the carbon-neutral bioenergy sector. Numerous technologies are available for CCSU including physical, chemical, and biological routes. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of CCSU technologies, specifically focusing on the use of microorganisms based on their well-established metabolic part. By investigating these biological pathways, we aim to develop sustainable strategies for climate management and biofuel production. One of the key novelties of this study lies in the utilization of microorganisms for CO2 fixation and conversion, offering a renewable and efficient method for addressing carbon emissions. Algae, with its high growth rate and lipid contents, exhibits CO2 fixation capabilities during photosynthesis. Similarly, methanogens have shown efficiency in converting CO2 to methane by methanogenesis, offering a viable pathway for carbon sequestration and energy production. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of exploring biological pathways, which significantly reduce carbon emissions and move towards a more environmentally friendly future. The output of this review highlights the significant potential of CCSU models for future sustainability. Furthermore, this review has been intensified in the current agenda for reduction of CO2 at considerable extends with biofuel upgrading by the microbial-shift reaction.

New insights into enhancement of bio-hydrogen production through encapsulated microalgae with alginate under visible light irradiation

The production of green hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels. The current study focuses on the design of microalgae as a catalyst in bioelectrochemical systems for the generation of biohydrogen. Furthermore, the abovementioned target could be achieved by optimizing different parameters, including strains of microalgae, different optical filters, and their shapes. Synechocystis sp. PAK13 (Ba9), Micractinium sp. YACCYB33 (R4), and Desmodesmus intermedius (Sh42) were used and designed as free cells and immobilized microalgae for evaluating their performance for hydrogen production. Alginate was applied for immobilization not only for protecting the immobilized microalgae from stress but also for inhibiting the agglomeration of microalgae and improving stability. The amount of studied immobilized microalgae was 0.01 g/5 ml algae-dissolved in 10 ml alginate gel at 28 °C, 12 h of light (light intensity 30.4 μmol m-2 s-1), and 12 h of darkness with continual aeration (air bump in every strain flask) at pH = 7.2 ± 0.2 in 0.05 %wuxal buffer which has 3.7 ionic strength. Different modalities, including FTIR, UV, and SEM, were performed for the description of selected microalgae. The surface morphology of Ba9 with alginate composite (immobilized Ba9) appeared as a stacked layer with high homogeneity, which facilitates hydrogen production from water. The conversion efficiencies of the immobilized microalgae were evaluated by incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE). Under optical filters, the optimum IPCE value was ∼ 7 % at 460 nm for immobilized Ba9. Also, its number of hydrogen moles was calculated to be 16.03 mmol h-1 cm-2 under optical filters. The electrochemical stability of immobilized Ba9 was evaluated through repetitive 100 cycles as a short-term stability test, and the curve of chrono-amperometry after 30 min in 0.05 %wuxal at a constant potential of 0.9 V for 30 min of all studied samples confirmed the high stability of all sample and the immobilized Ba9 has superior activity than others.

Evaluation of visible-light wavelengths that reduce or oxidize the plastoquinone pool in green algae with the activated F0 rise method

We recently developed a chlorophyll a fluorescence method (activated F0 rise) for estimating if a light wavelength preferably excites PSI or PSII in plants. Here, the method was tested in green microalgae: Scenedesmus quadricauda, Scenedesmus ecornis, Scenedesmus fuscus, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella sorokiniana, and Ettlia oleoabundans. The Scenedesmus species displayed a plant-like action spectra of F0 rise, suggesting that PSII/PSI absorption ratio is conserved from higher plants to green algae. F0 rise was weak in a strain of C. reinhardtii, C. sorokiniana, and E. oleoabundans. Interestingly, another C. reinhardtii strain exhibited a strong F0 rise. The result indicates that the same illumination can lead to different redox states of the plastoquinone pool in different algae. Flavodiiron activity enhanced the F0 rise, presumably by oxidizing the plastoquinone pool during pre-illumination. The activity of plastid terminal oxidase, in turn, diminished the F0 rise, but to a small degree.

Recent Achievements in Microalgal Photobiological Hydrogen Production

It is well known that over the last 60 years the trend of long-lived greenhouse gas emissions have shown a strong acceleration. There is an increasing concern and a mounting opposition by public opinion to continue with the use of fossil energy. Western countries are presently involved in a so-called energy transition with the objective of abandoning fossil energy for renewable sources. In this connection, hydrogen can play a central role. One of the sustainable ways to produce hydrogen is the use of microalgae which possess two important natural catalysts: photosystem II and hydrogenase, used to split water and to combine protons and electrons to generate gaseous hydrogen, respectively. For about 20 years of study on photobiological hydrogen production, our scientific hopes were based on the application of the sulfur protocol, which indisputably represented a very important advancement in the field of hydrogen production biotechnology. However, as reported in this review, there is increasing evidence that this strategy is not economically viable. Therefore, a change of paradigm for the photobiological production of hydrogen based on microalgae seems mandatory. This review points out that an increasing number of microalgal strains other than Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are being tested and are able to produce sustainable amount of hydrogen without nutrient starvation and to fulfill this goal including the application of co-cultures.

A perspective on galactose-based fermentative hydrogen production from macroalgal biomass: Trends and opportunities

This review analyses the relevant studies which focused on hydrogen synthesis by dark fermentation of galactose from macroalgal biomass by discussing the inoculum-related pretreatments, batch fermentation and inhibition, continuous fermentation systems, bioreactor designs for continuous operation and ionic liquid-assisted catalysis. The potential for process development is also revisited and the challenges towards suppressing glucose dominance over a galactose-based hydrogen production system are presented. The key challenges in the pretreatment process aiming to achieve a maximum recovery of upgradable (fermentable) sugars from the hydrolysates and promoting the concomitant detoxification of the hydrolysates have also been highlighted. The research avenues for bioprocess intensification connected to enhance selective sugar recovery and effective detoxification constitute the critical steps to develop future red macroalgae-derived galactose-based robust biohydrogen production system.

Photobiological hydrogen production via immobilization: understanding the nature of the immobilization and investigation on various conventional photobioreactors

Hydrogen photoproduction from microalgae has been an emerging topic for biofuel development. However, low yield for large-scale cultivations seems to be the main challenge. Immobilization seems to be an alternative method for sustainable hydrogen generation. In this study we examined the bead stability, bead diameter and immobilization method in accordance with photobioreactors (PBR). 2.1 mm diameter beads were selected for PBR experiments. CSTR, tubular and panel type PBRs give important results to develop suitable immobilization matrixes and techniques for mass production in scalable PBR systems. In conclusion, we suggest to develop techniques specific for the design and operation characteristic of the PBR for a yield efficient hydrogen generation.

Comparative analyses of H2 photoproduction in magnesium- and sulfur-starved Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cultures

Magnesium (Mg)-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells are capable to sustain hydrogen (H2 ) photoproduction at relatively high photosystem II (PSII) activity levels for an extended time period as compared with sulfur (S)-deprived cells. Herein, we present a comparative study of H2 photoproduction induced by Mg and S shortage to unravel the specific rearrangements of the photosynthetic machinery and cell metabolism occurring under the two deprivation protocols. The exhaustive analysis of photosynthetic activity and regulatory pathways, respiration and starch metabolism revealed the specific rearrangements of the photosynthetic machinery and cellular metabolism, which occur under the two deprivation conditions. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that the expanded time period of H2 production upon Mg-deprivation is due to the less harmful effects that Mg-depletion has on viability and metabolic performance of the cells. Unlike S-deprivation, the photosynthetic light and dark reactions in Mg-deprived cells remained active over the whole H2 production period. However, the elevated PSII activity in Mg-deprived cells was counteracted by the operation of pathways for O2 consumption that maintain anaerobic conditions in the presence of active water splitting.

Hydrogen from algal biomass: A review of production process

•

Biohydrogen Production Processes.

•

Microorganisms involved in biohydrogen production processes.

•

Immobilization methods of microalgae.

•

Bioreactors for biohydrogen production process.

Multifariousness of biofuel sources has marked an edge to an imperative energy issue. Production of hydrogen from microalgae has been gathering much contemplation right away. But, mercantile production of microalgae biofuels considering bio-hydrogen is still not practicable because of low biomass concentration and costly down streaming processes. This review has taken up the hydrogen production by microalgae. Biofuels are the up and coming alternative to exhaustible, environmentally and unsafe fossil fuels. Algal biomass has been considered as an enticing raw material for biofuel production, these days photobioreactors and open-air systems are being used for hydrogen production from algal biomass. The formers allow the careful cultivation control whereas the latter ones are cheaper and simpler. A contemporary, encouraging optimization access has been included called algal cell immobilization on various matrixes which has resulted in marked increase in the productivity per volume of a reactor and addition of the hydrogen-production phase.