Development of microalgal culture in hydrogel for production of biofuel

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K04845
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Materials Science (2019-2021); The University of Tokyo (2018)
• Principal Investigator: YOSHITOMI Toru 国立研究開発法人物質・材料研究機構, 機能性材料研究拠点, 主任研究員 (20585799)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 微細藻類 / ハイドロゲル / 藻類オイル / トリアシルグリセロール / 脂質蓄積

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Microalgae-derived biofuels have attracted much attention as industrial and sustainable routes for energy supplies. In this study, Chlamydomonas debaryana NIES-2212, which massively accumulates triacylglycerol in the stationary phase without applying external stress, was encapsulated in a Ca2+-alginate gel and was cultured under photoautotrophic growth conditions. The growth of the encapsulated cells in the gel resulted in spherical palmelloid colonies. Curiously, the gel encapsulation promoted cell proliferation, and the encapsulated cells reached the stationary phase earlier than that of the free-living cells. These results point to the importance of the micro-niche of microalgae for oil production.

Free Research Field

バイオマテリアル

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、微細藻類細胞を利用可能な資源とすべくハイドロゲル培養法を開発し、微細藻類に与える影響を調査した。持続可能な社会を実現するために注目を集めている微細藻類の問題に着目し、それをハイドロゲル培養という工学的アプローチを使った解決を試みた。