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Engineering microalgae for water phosphorus recovery to close the phosphorus cycle
Long Wang1, Xianqing Jia1, Lei Xu1
1State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
Plant Biotechnology Journal
|March 15, 2023
Summary
Genetically engineered microalgae can significantly boost phosphorus recovery from water. This innovation enhances phosphorus accumulation and removal rates, offering a sustainable solution for closing the phosphorus cycle.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Bioremediation
- Sustainable Agriculture
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable resource essential for life and food production.
- Agricultural overuse and loss of P cause environmental pollution and threaten food security.
- Microalgae offer a sustainable, eco-friendly approach for biological phosphorus recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the phosphorus (P) accumulation capacity and removal efficiency of microalgae.
- To engineer microalgae for more effective phosphorus recovery and reuse.
- To address limitations in current microalgae-based phosphorus recovery systems.
Main Methods:
- Genetic manipulation of genes involved in cellular phosphorus accumulation and signaling in Chlamydomonas.
- Cultivation of engineered microalgae in wastewater for phosphorus recovery.
- Quantification of phosphorus concentration in dry biomass and assessment of removal rates.
Main Results:
- Engineered Chlamydomonas exhibited tripled phosphorus storage capacity, reaching ~7% of dry biomass.
- This represents the highest phosphorus concentration reported in plants to date.
- Engineered algae recovered phosphorus from wastewater nearly three times faster than unengineered strains.
Conclusions:
- Engineering microalgae by manipulating phosphorus accumulation and signaling genes is a viable strategy.
- This approach significantly enhances phosphorus uptake and accumulation for efficient recovery.
- The developed microalgae have potential for direct use as phosphorus fertilizer, aiding in closing the phosphorus cycle.
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