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Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

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Franziska Hempel¹, Andrew S Bozarth, Nicole Lindenkamp

¹LOEWE Research Centre for Synthetic Microbiology, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, 35032 Marburg, Germany.

Microbial Cell Factories

|October 19, 2011

Summary

This study successfully engineered the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable bioplastic. This demonstrates microalgae as a sustainable alternative for bioplastic production.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Synthetic Biology
Microalgal Engineering

Background:

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a naturally occurring, biodegradable polyester with thermoplastic properties.
PHB production is currently dependent on bacterial systems and not fossil resources, making it an attractive bioplastic for industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To engineer the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for the production of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB).
To assess the feasibility of microalgae as a system for bioplastic synthesis.

Main Methods:

Introduction of the bacterial PHB biosynthesis pathway from Ralstonia eutropha H16 into Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Cultivation of engineered diatoms and analysis of PHB accumulation.

Main Results:

Successful expression of bacterial PHB pathway enzymes in Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Achieved PHB levels up to 10.6% of algal dry weight.
PHB accumulation observed in granule-like structures within the cytosol, confirmed by microscopy.

Conclusions:

Demonstrates the potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a microalgal system for solar-powered bioplastic production.
Highlights significant advantages of microalgal-based production systems over traditional plant-based methods.