2000 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

CO_2 fixation system using microalgae under aerial conditions

Research Project

Project/Area Number	10554049
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B).
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	展開研究
Research Field	植物生理
Research Institution	Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
Principal Investigator	TSUZUKI Mikio School of Life Science, Tokyo Univ.of Pharmacy and Life Science, 生命科学部, 教授 (70155430)
Project Period (FY)	1998 – 2000
Keywords	microalgae / carbon dioxide / global environment / Chlorella / Spirulina
Research Abstract	Some of microalgae can proceed photosynthesis even on a solid surface. I constructed a belt conveyor system with which microalgae on the belt fix CO_2 from atmosphere. Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, Porphyridium, Spirulina, and Synechocystis were still active even on a membrane of glass-fiber filter. Though the system worked semi-automatically, the algal cells dried soon outdoors due to dried wind. Thus I am still looking for an appropriate transparent film which would be laid over the algae on the belt. The film should be better if molecules of CO_2 and O_2 can be transferable, but not H_2O.Infrared gas analysing system with which rate of photosynthesis is determined at real time was applied to the microalgae on the membrane. It took over 15 min in Spirulina till the rate of photosynthesis reached the stationary level after illumination, while it was very soon in Chlorella. It is also found that acid lipids in thylakoid membranes play a role of maintenance of photosystem II protein complex.