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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
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Microalgae Cultivation and Biomass Quantification in a Bench-Scale Photobioreactor with Corrosive Flue Gases
Published on: December 19, 2019
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Modeling the oxygen inhibition in microalgae: An experimental approach based on photorespirometry
Eleonora Sforza1, Martina Pastore2, Sabine M Franke3
1Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy.
New Biotechnology
|July 20, 2020
Summary
Oxygen accumulation in closed photobioreactors inhibits microalgae growth. This study quantifies oxygen inhibition on photosynthetic rates, developing a new model to improve microalgae cultivation for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Photosynthesis Research
- Industrial Microbiology
Background:
- Closed photobioreactors (PBRs) are ideal for high-purity microalgae cultivation.
- Oxygen accumulation in PBRs inhibits microalgae growth and photosynthetic production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess and model the inhibitory effects of high oxygen concentrations on microalgae photosynthetic production rates.
- To investigate the influence of light intensity and biomass concentration on oxygen inhibition.
- To develop an improved model for photosynthetic rate as a function of oxygen concentration.
Main Methods:
- Application of a photorespirometric protocol to measure oxygen inhibition.
- Experimental assessment of light intensity and biomass concentration effects.
- Validation of a new mathematical formulation against experimental data.
Main Results:
- Quantified the inhibitory effect of oxygen on microalgae photosynthetic production.
- Determined varying maximum inhibitory oxygen concentrations based on light and biomass levels.
- Existing literature models were insufficient to describe the observed data.
Conclusions:
- A novel formulation accurately describes photosynthetic rate inhibition by oxygen concentration under varying light and biomass conditions.
- The new model enhances understanding and optimization of microalgae cultivation in closed PBRs.
- Improved modeling can mitigate oxygen toxicity, boosting industrial microalgae production.
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