Development of environmental water clarification-type algal cultivation unit for biomass production ~Towards the realization of a low-carbon society

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06326
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 41040:Agricultural environmental engineering and agricultural information engineering-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
• Principal Investigator: Fujiwara Shoko 東京薬科大学, 生命科学部, 教授 (30266895)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岡田 克彦 東京薬科大学, 生命科学部, 助教 (40301551) ; 佐藤 典裕 東京薬科大学, 生命科学部, 准教授 (50266897)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 微細藻類 / CO2固定 / 培養装置 / 環境水浄化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

CO2 fixation by microalgae has recently attracted much attention to solve the CO2 problem, because they can grow faster and do not compete with agriculture. In this study, evaluation and development of an algal cell-attached solid surface culture system were performed, using Chlorella. To precisely asses the photosynthetic rate on the solid surface, we established a method for measuring the CO2 fixation rate with IRGA. PAM analysis and transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq suggested that cells transferred to a solid surface become stressed immediately after transfer but can recover their high photosynthetic activity through adaptation of photosynthetic machinery and metabolic flow as well as induction of general stress response mechanisms within 24 h. Furthermore, biomass production was compared between indoor and outdoor, and a portable tubular system containing an algal cell-attached solid surface for phosphorous recovery was developed.

Free Research Field

植物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

植物葉で広く用いられているIRGAでCO2固定速度測定法を確立し、固相上での光合成速度を迅速かつ正確に評価することが可能になった。また、光合成特性とRNA-seqの解析から、固相表面培養で維持される高い光合成活性の分子的基盤を明らかにすることができた。さらに、無機排水からのリン回収用の可搬型固相表面連続培養装置を開発した。エタノール製造工場由来の無機排水や池の水からも短時間で大部分のリンを除去することができ、細胞の生育も維持される培養装置を作製することができた。