Isolation and characterization of microalgae strains able to grow on complex biomass hydrolysate for industrial application

Journal Article · 01 January 2024 · Algal Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103381 · OSTI ID:2283956

Badary, Amr ^[1]; Hidasi, Nora ^[2]; Ferrari, Simone ^[3]; Mayfield, Stephen P. ^[4]

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1. University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States); University of California San Diego
2. University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States); Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)
3. Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)
4. University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States)

Producing algae biomass economically remains one of the chief bottlenecks for commercializing algae products. The aim of this work is to identify new strains of algae that can grow on cost effective media derived from cellulosic waste streams, characterize the potential of these strains to produce compounds of high industrial value, and identify those strains capable of facile genetic transformation. Here we report, out of 45 strains initially isolated, three were selected based on their ability to efficiently grow on organic waste material (corn stover hydrolysate) as a carbon source; Chlorococcum sp., Desmodesmus sp., and Chlamydomonas debaryana. Untargeted metabolomics was performed on each strain, identifying several metabolites of high relative abundances that are of commercial interest, such as lactic acid, butane-2,3-diol, amino acids, tartaric acid, triacylglycerols, and lipid species containing different, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, depending on the strain and growth condition. The strains also produced carbohydrates of industrial relevance. Chlorococcum sp. was found to be genetically transformable using standard simple transformation protocols. These results suggest that with further development, these strains could open the door to economic production of high value commercial compounds utilizing waste streams from cellulosic biomass.

• Research Organization: University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0008491
• OSTI ID: 2283956
• Journal Information: Algal Research, Journal Name: Algal Research Vol. 78; ISSN 2211-9264
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English