MaB-flocs
Microalgae do not settle by
gravity
In physics, gravity () is a fundamental interaction which causes mutual attraction between all things with mass or energy. Gravity is, by far, the weakest of the four fundamental interactions, approximately 1038 times weaker than the stro ...
, therefore expensive
harvesting
Harvesting is the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper. On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor- ...
techniques must be applied. This is a major bottleneck of microalgal technology.
Bioflocculation of microalgae and
bacteria
Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one Cell (biology), biological cell. They constitute a large domain (biology), domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometr ...
addresses this.
MaB-flocs or Microalgal Bacterial flocs settle by gravity, up to density of 20 g per liter. This is a major improvement for microalgal technology for
wastewater treatment.
Currently, MaB-flocs are being applied for
sewage treatment
Sewage treatment (or domestic wastewater treatment, municipal wastewater treatment) is a type of wastewater treatment which aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is suitable for discharge to the surrounding e ...
on lab and pilot scale in
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
and
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
. The idea is to scavenge
nutrients such as
nitrogen
Nitrogen is the chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a nonmetal and the lightest member of group 15 of the periodic table, often called the pnictogens. It is a common element in the universe, estimated at se ...
and
phosphorus
Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Ear ...
from the
wastewater
Wastewater is water generated after the use of freshwater, raw water, drinking water or saline water in a variety of deliberate applications or processes. Another definition of wastewater is "Used water from any combination of domestic, industrial ...
, sometimes combined with
flue gas
Flue gas is the gas exiting to the atmosphere via a flue, which is a pipe or channel for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, oven, furnace, boiler or steam generator. Quite often, the flue gas refers to the combustion exhaust gas produc ...
treatment.
Nutritional evaluation of such microbial protein or single cell protein as an unconventional protein feedstuff or ingredient in artificial animal feeds have gained much importance lately. Its nutritional strengths and bottlenecks are much described lately.
Potential of MaB-flocs in Omega-3 Production
The integration of Microalgal Bacterial (MaB) flocs into sustainable agricultural practices presents an innovative approach to enhancing the nutritional content of food sources, particularly in terms of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential fats that humans must obtain from their diet. These fats are crucial for brain health, maintaining the health of cell membranes, and supporting cardiovascular health.
MaB-flocs, comprising both microalgae and bacteria, have shown promise in wastewater treatment applications by effectively removing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Microalgae, a key component of MaB-flocs, are known for their ability to accumulate high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. This positions MaB-flocs as a potential sustainable source of these essential nutrients. The cultivation of microalgae within MaB-flocs for omega-3 production offers a dual benefit: improving water quality through nutrient removal and providing a source of essential dietary fats.
Current research focuses on optimizing the growth conditions of MaB-flocs to maximize the yield of omega-3 fatty acids. This includes investigating the effects of various environmental parameters, such as light intensity, temperature, and pH, on the fatty acid profile of microalgae within the flocs. Additionally, the feasibility of harvesting omega-3-rich microalgae from MaB-flocs for use in food and feed applications is being explored.
While the direct contribution of MaB-flocs to disease prevention through omega-3 production requires further research, their potential to serve as a sustainable source of these essential nutrients is clear. As the global demand for omega-3 fatty acids continues to rise, MaB-flocs represent a promising avenue for environmentally friendly production of these vital dietary components.
References
External links
Growth of microalgal-bacterial biomass on primary treated wastewater
{{fishing industry topics, expanded=aquaculture
Environmental engineering