• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.643-649
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• 2015

Although microalgae are considered as a promising feedstock for biofuels, cost-efficient harvesting of microalgae needs to be significantly improved. In this study, the use of electro coagulation as a more rapid flocculation method for harvesting a freshwater (Scenedesmus dimorphus) microalgae species was evaluated. The results showed that, electro coagulation was shown to be more efficient using an aluminum anode than using an iron anode. And optimum conditions of electro coagulation for harvesting Scenedesmus dimorphus were found. The optimum stirring speed was 100 rpm and optimum pH was 5. Furthermore, the current density which the fastest and highest recovery efficiency is achieved at $30A/m^2$, while the highest energy efficiency was achieved at $10A/m^2$. A the rapid and high recovery efficiency indicate that electro coagulation is a particularly attractive technology for harvesting microalgae.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.315-322
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• 2016

This study determined the optimum microalgae species and concentration for growth of small rotifer Proales similis, in community cultures by feeding it several different foods. Four single trials (Tetraselmis suecica, TET; Isochrysis galbana, ISO; Nannochloropsis oculata, NAN; freshwater Chlorella vulgaris, CHL) were conducted at 5 psu and $25^{\circ}C$. The maximum density and specific growth rate (SRG) were highest for rotifer fed CHL reaching 1,075 individuals (inds.)/mL and 0.83 respectively. By contrast, other foods of ISO, NAN and TET resulted in poor growth rates and maximum density. In the freshwater C. vulgaris experiments examining a range of 0.05 to $8.8mg/10^4rotifers$, the growth of rotifer tended to decrease with the amount of supplement. The maximum density and SGR of females was highest at 910 inds./mL and 0.55 respectively, at $0.05mg/10^4rotifers$. These results suggest that the best microalgae species for the culture of P. similis is freshwater C. vulgaris and the optimum concentration is $0.05mg/10^4rotifers$.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.52-61
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• 2019

Over the past few decades, microalgae-based biotechnology conjugated with innovative CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic engineering has been attracted much attention for the cost-effective and eco-friendly value-added compounds production. However, the discharge of reproducible living modified organism (LMO) into environmental condition potentially causes serious problem in aquatic environment, and thus it is essential to assess potential environmental risk for human health. Accordingly, in this study, we monitored discharged genetically modified microalgae (GMM) near the research complex which is located in Daejeon, South Korea. After testing samples obtained from 6 points of near streams, several green-colored microalgal colonies were detected under hygromicin-containing agar plate. By identification of selection marker genes, the GMM was not detected from all the samples. For the lab-scale environmental risk assessment of GMM, acute toxicity test using rotifer Brachionus calcyflorus was performed by feeding GMM. After feeding, there was no significant difference in mortality between WT and transformant Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. According to further analysis of horizontal transfer of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-coding gene after 24 h of incubation in synthetic freshwater, we concluded that the GFP-expressed gene not transferred into predator. However, further risk assessments and construction of standard methods including prolonged toxicity test are required for the accurate ecological risk assessment.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.654-658
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to establish methods for enhancing the survival and growth of cold-water fish and crustacean larvae based on the nutritional components of zoo and phyto live foods. Rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis, were cultured with a supplement of freshwater condensed Chlorella vulgaris at $28^{\circ}C$ and enriched with Algamac $2000^{(R)}$ at 16, 20 and $26^{\circ}C$, respectively. Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros calcitrans and Chlorella ellipsoidea were centrifuged for component analysis after being cultured for approximately one week with conway medium at $20^{\circ}C$. The crude protein and lipid contents of the rotifers were 58.4% and 10.9%, respectively, before enrichment. After enrichment at each temperature, total protein and essential amino acid contents were increased by reducing the enrichment temperature. However, unsaturated fatty acids and multiple fatty acid index (UI) showed their highest values at $20^{\circ}C$. Mono-unsaturated fatty acid content was highest (72.6%) at $16^{\circ}C$. The total protein contents of C. calcitrans and C. ellipsoidea were higher, 33.0% and 35.2%, respectively, than that of I. galbana, 27.8%. Methionin, leusine and histidine, essential amino acids of C. ellipsoidea, had considerably higher values, 50.2, 287.2 and 68.1 mg/g dry matter, respectively, compared to other microalgae. Total lipids, UI, DHA and n-3 PUFA of I. galbana had higher values, 23.6, 272.0, 12.9% and 45.2%, respectively, than other microalgae. Therefore, for cold-water fish and crustacean larvae that require high n-3 PUFA and DHA contents, enrichment of rotifers is desirable at $20^{\circ}C$. Fish larvae would also need more I. galbana than other microalgae.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2014

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) in sunlight causes biological damages such as erythema and blister on skin. Microalgae have been in the limelight as an attractive feedstock for manufacturing functional materials. This study focused on screening microalga with protection ability against UV-B. The microalgae were isolated from local areas on April to June 2013 as well as June 2014. The cells were grown under continuous illumination from fluorescent lamps at $136.3{\pm}2.2{\mu}E/m^2/s$ in BG-11 medium at $15^{\circ}C$ for 12-14 days. The selected cells were spread on BG-11 agar and were exposed to UV-B (312 nm) for 20 and 25 minutes. The 13 strains among selected algae were classified. Among these, 9 strains were Scenedesmus sp. and the remains were Chlorella sp. Based on this study, it seems that Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. have resistibility against ultraviolet. These results will help to study on UV protection using microalgae.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2004

One hundred and fifty four micro algal strains, newly isolated from nationwide freshwaters in Korea, were screened for their anticancer, ant diabetic, and antibiotic activities. The micro algal strains were cultured with different nutritional conditions that were divided into 4 groups as follows; a normal Allen medium, nitrogen (N)-limited medium, phosphorus (P)-limited medium, and N and P-limited medium. Algal biomass was extracted with a mixture of acetone:H₂O (1:1, v:v) and the extracts were used for the screening of bioactive materials. Anticancer, ant diabetic, and antibiotic materials were screened by the methods of vaccinia Hl-related protein tyrosine phosphates (VHR DS-PTPase) inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphates 1B (PTP1B) inhibition, and paper disk. The inhibition activity of VHR DS-PTPase was observed in 18 strains, having a maximum 79% inhibition from Anabaena affinis and the inhibition activity of PTP1B was observed in 9 strains, having a maximum 97% from Sphaerocystis schroeteri. Microcystis aeruginosa incubated in an N and P-limited medium showed antibiotic activity in 8 species out of 13 pathogenic bacteria. As a whole, it seemed that the stressed condition such as N and/or P limitation increased the production of bioactive materials in micro algae.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2013

Microalgae can grow autotrophically with the supply of light, carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients in water through photosynthesis. Generally, microalgal growth is limited by the concentrations and relative ratio of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) among the nutrients in the aquatic environment. Each microalga has its specific optimum N : P ratio resulting in dominance in a particular water having similar nutrient composition. Algal bloom is an immense growth of certain microalga commonly cyanobacterium and can be sequestrated by reducing the limiting nutrient, generally P in the freshwater. Moreover, dominance of a less toxic blooming strain can be established by manipulating N : P ratio in the water. On the other hand, microalgal biomass of a certain species can be enhanced by increasing limiting nutrient and adjusting the N : P ratio to the target species. The above-mentioned eco-physiological features of microalgae can be more completely interpreted in connection with their genomic informations. Consequently, microalgal growth regulation which can be achieved on the basis of its eco-physiological and further genomic insights would be helpful not only in the control of algal bloom, but also for an increased yield of algal biomass.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.955-963
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• 2023

Chlorella is a eukaryotic organism that can be used as an industrial host to produce recombinant proteins. In this study, a salt-inducible promoter (SIP) was isolated from the freshwater species Chlorella vulgaris PKVL7422 from the screening of genes that were upregulated after salt treatment. Several cis-acting elements, including stress response elements, were identified in the isolated SIP. Moreover, the Gaussia luciferase gene was cloned after the SIP and transformed into C. vulgaris to test the inducibility of this promoter. Reexamination of transcriptome of C. vulgaris revealed that genes involved in the synthesis of methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), gibberellin (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA) were upregulated when C. vulgaris was treated with salt. Furthermore, the expression level of recombinant luciferase increased when the transformed C. vulgaris was treated with salt and MeJA, GA, and ABA. This study represents the first report of the C. vulgaris SIP and highlights how transformed microalgae could be used for robust expression of recombinant proteins.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

This study examined the growth, fatty acid (FA) content, and carotenoids of a newly isolated freshwater microalga, Mychonastes sp. 246, in various culture media. The appropriate temperature and light intensity for culturing Mychonastes sp. 246 were determined as 18℃-22℃ and 200-250 µmol/m²/s using a high throughput photobioreactor. The microalgal cells were cultivated in 0.5 L bubble column photobioreactors using BG11, Bold's Basal media, and f/2 media. According to the growth results of the microalgae, BG11, among the tested media, showed the highest biomass concentrations (3.5 ± 0.1 g/L in 10 d). To enhance the biomass growth of the microalgae, the N:P ratio in BG11 was manipulated from 45:1 to 7:1 based on the stoichiometric cell composition. The biomass concentrations of Mychonastes sp. 246 grown on the manipulated BG11 (MBG) increased to 38% (4.6 ± 0.3 g/L in d) compared with the original BG11 (3.3 g/L). The FA content of the microalgae grown on the MBG was lower (8.4%) than that of the original BG11 (10.1%) while the FA compositions did not exhibit any significant differences. Furthermore, three kinds of carotenoids were identified in Mychonastes sp. 246, zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene. These results suggest an effective strategy for increasing biomass concentrations, FA content, and carotenoids of microalgae by performing a simple N:P adjustment in the culture media.

• ALGAE
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2013

A freshwater cyanobacterium, Phormidium autumnale KNUA026, was isolated from puddles of icy water in Gyeongsan City, South Korea and its potential as a biofuel feedstock was investigated. Maximal growth was obtained when the culture was incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ and around pH 9.0. The total lipid content of the isolate was approximately 14.0% of dry weight and it was found that strain KNUA026 was able to autotrophically synthesize heptadecane ($C_{17}H_{36}$) which can be directly used as fuel without requiring a transesterification step. As this benthic cyanobacterium was capable of forming thick mats, it could be easily harvested by gravitational settling and this property may reduce the cost of production in commercial applications. Hence, P. autumnale KNUA026 appears to be a promising resource for use in the production of microalgae-based biofuels.