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Biofuels

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...

Green Algae

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...

Red Algae

Red Algae

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...

Other Algae

Other Algae

The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...

Overview of Algae

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The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...

Marine Microbial Ecology

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Marine microbial ecosystems are shaped by distinct physicochemical limits, including high salinity, low nutrient availability, and fluctuating oxygen levels. These conditions favor smaller microbial cell sizes, which maximize their surface-to-volume ratio for efficient nutrient uptake.Microbial activity and community composition are closely linked to biogeochemical cycles, particularly in dynamic environments like estuaries, where halotolerant microbes thrive in response to variable salinity...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

Physico-chemical surface properties of microalgae.

Altan Ozkan¹, Halil Berberoglu

¹Civil, Architechtural and Environmental Engineering Department, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces

|September 5, 2013

Summary

This study quantifies microalgae surface properties, finding hydrophobicity impacts colony formation and biofouling. Surface energy, particularly electron donor capacity, correlates with cohesion, crucial for algal cultivation and technology development.

Keywords:

Algal biofilm Biofouling Flocculation

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Published on: August 14, 2020

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Surface Chemistry
Microbiology

Background:

Microalgae cultivation and harvesting rely on understanding cell surface properties.
Physico-chemical surface characteristics influence microalgae behavior, including aggregation and adhesion.
Existing data on microalgae surface properties is limited, especially across diverse species and environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally determine key physico-chemical surface properties of 12 diverse microalgae species.
To investigate the relationship between surface properties, such as surface free energy and potential, and microalgae behavior.
To provide essential data for optimizing microalgae cultivation, harvesting, and related biotechnologies.

Main Methods:

Contact angle measurements to quantify surface free energy and its components (acid-base, van der Waals, electron donor/acceptor parameters).
Electrophoretic mobility measurements to determine zeta and surface potentials using Smoluchowski's model.
Calculation of free energy of cohesion based on determined surface energy properties.

Main Results:

A comprehensive dataset of surface free energy, zeta potential, and surface potential for 12 microalgae species was generated.
The electron donor parameter showed a strong correlation with the free energy of cohesion across all microalgae groups.
Hydrophobic surfaces were observed in species forming colonies or exhibiting benthic growth, contrasting with planktonic species.

Conclusions:

Surface hydrophobicity is a critical factor influencing microalgae flocculation and biofouling.
Distinct differences in surface potential were noted between freshwater and saltwater species.
The findings offer valuable insights for cell-cell and cell-substrata interactions in microalgae biomass cultivation, biofouling prevention, and microbial fuel cell technologies.