title: Use of wavelength-selective optical light filters for enhanced microalgal growth in different algal cultivation systems.
abstract: This work is to use thin film nano-materials as light filters to selectively transmit certain wavelengths from natural sunlight to algal culture. A red light filter (620-710 nm) and blue filter (450-495 nm) were evaluated. Algae were grown in flasks, flat panel reactors, and rotating algal biofilm (RAB) system. It was found that the light filters did not improve algal growth in flask cultures, probably due to the additional reflection of light by the glass wall of the flasks. However, the light filters significantly (P<0.05) improved biomass yield (13-34%) in flat panel reactors and biomass productivity (70-100%) in RAB system, depending on the growth mode and lighter filters. Such improvements may be due to the eliminating the ultra-violet (UV) damaging the cellular structure. The biomass compositions did not change significantly among different light-filter cultures (P>0.05). The research shows a great potential of using light filters to improve microalgal growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Clayton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Ninno
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011, USA. Electronic address: wenz@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: Zhiyou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques; D018533:Biomass; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002708:Chlorella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D058433:Photobioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Flask culture; Flat panel photobioreactors; Light filters; Microalgae; Rotating algal biofilm (RAB)