Linking microalgae and cyanobacteria culture conditions and key-enzymes for carbohydrate accumulation

• Published in: Biotechnology advances Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1655 - 1661
• Main Authors: González-Fernández, Cristina, Ballesteros, Mercedes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Inc 01-11-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Allocations; Bioethanol; biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biotechnology; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carbohydrates; Carbon; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Culture; Culture conditions; Cyanobacteria; Cyanobacteria - cytology; Cyanobacteria - enzymology; Cyanobacteria - metabolism; environmental factors; enzyme activity; Enzymes; Enzymes - metabolism; ethanol production; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; light intensity; metabolic engineering; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Microalgae; Microalgae - cytology; Microalgae - enzymology; Microalgae - metabolism; Strategy; temperature; Enzymes; Carbohydrates; Microalgae; Bioethanol; Culture conditions; Ethanol; Enzyme; Algae; Accumulation; Cyanobacteria; Bacteria; Carbohydrate; Culture
• ISSN: 0734-9750; 1873-1899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.07.003

Microalgae are regarded as a potential biomass source for biofuel purposes. With regard to bioethanol production, microalgae seem to overcome traditional substrate drawbacks. Enzymatic activities are responsible for carbon allocation and hence for carbohydrate profiles. Enzyme activities may be manipulated by metabolic engineering; however, this goal may also be achieved by controlling environmental conditions of the culture system. We outline the key-enzymes as well as the main operational conditions applied to microalgae growth (inorganic nutrient supplementation, irradiance and temperature) that affect carbohydrate synthesis on microalgae and cyanobacteria. Normally, harsh conditions are needed for such a goal and thus, arrested microalgae growth may occur. Potential strategies to avoid arrested growth, while enhancing carbohydrate accumulation, were also pointed out in this review.