title: Spectral conversion of light for enhanced microalgae growth rates and photosynthetic pigment production.
abstract: The effect of light conditions on the growth of green algae Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacteria Gloeothece membranacea was investigated by filtering different wavelengths of visible light and comparing against a model daylight source as a control. Luminescent acrylic sheets containing violet, green, orange or red dyes illuminated by a solar simulator produced the desired wavelengths of light for this study. From the experimental results the highest specific growth rate for C. vulgaris was achieved using the orange range whereas violet light promoted the growth of G. membranacea. Red light exhibited the least efficiency in conversion of light energy into biomass in both strains of microalgae. Photosynthetic pigment formation was examined and maximum chlorophyll-a production in C. vulgaris was obtained by red light illumination. Green light yielded the best chlorophyll-a production in G. membranacea. The proposed illumination strategy offers improved microalgae growth without resorting to artificial light sources, reducing energy use and costs of cultivation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK. sm627@hw.ac.uk
authors.forename: Seyedeh Fatemeh
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Mohsenpour
authors.forename: Bryce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Nik
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Willoughby
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D003116:Color; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D008027:Light; D008029:Lighting / Q000379:methods*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002734:Chlorophyll; D000077194:Chlorophyll A