What are photosynthetic microorganisms?

Cyanobacteria and algae are photosynthetic microorganisms that are emerging as attractive hosts for synthetic biology applications, ranging from metabolic engineering for the production of industrial biochemicals to microbial energy storage.

What is photosynthetic biomass?

Photosynthetic biomass performs the act of primary production, the initial step in the manifestation of life. The biomass so termed has the ability to increase in mass through the absorption of solar or other electromagnetic radiation while releasing oxygen and water vapour into the atmosphere.

What does micro algae need to grow?

Regarding the energy and carbon sources used for their metabolism, microalgae can grow in three different ways: autotrophy, heterotrophy, and mixotrophy [12, 13]. In autotrophic growth, microalgae produce the needed organic matter and energy by using CO2 as a carbon source and sunlight as an energy source.

What do microalgae produce?

Microalgae produce a wide range of bioproducts, including polysaccharides, lipids, pigments, proteins, vitamins, bioactive compounds, and antioxidants (Fig. 1) [3]. The interest in microalgae as a renewable and sustainable feedstock for biofuels production has inspired a new focus in biorefinery.

What are examples of photosynthetic organisms?

Plants, algae, and a group of bacteria called cyanobacteria are the only organisms capable of performing photosynthesis (Figure 1). Because they use light to manufacture their own food, they are called photoautotrophs (literally, “self-feeders using light”).

What is an example of a photosynthetic bacteria?

Proteobacteria (also known as purple bacteria ), heliobacteria, Chloroflexi (filamentous bacteria also known as green non-sulfur bacteria ), Chlorobi (green sulfur bacteria ) and cyanobacteria are examples of photosynthetic bacteria.

How is biomass produced from photosynthesis?

Biomass is produced through photosynthesis, during which, thanks to solar energy, the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the water in the ground combine and produce sugars that are necessary for life. The solar energy that activated the photosynthesis is stored in the chemical bonds of these substances.

How do plants use photosynthesis to increase biomass?

Plant biomass will increase as a result of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants produce glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy from the Sun.

How is microscopic algae cultured?

Microalgae are also cultured in vertical alveolar panels (VAP) that are a type of photobioreactor. This photobioreactor is characterised by low productivity. However, this problem can be overcome by modifying the surface area to volume ratio; where a higher ratio can increase productivity.

How is microalgae cultivated?

The two most common methods of microalgae cultivation are open cultivation systems, such as open ponds, tanks, and raceway ponds, and controlled closed cultivation systems using different types of bioreactors.

What is microalgae used for?

A range of microalgae species are produced in hatcheries and are used in a variety of ways for commercial purposes, including for human nutrition, as biofuel, in the aquaculture of other organisms, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and as biofertiliser.

What is the importance of microalgae?

Microalgae produce a wide range of other commercially important and valuable products. They produce vitamins, which elevates their importance as a nutritional food for people and animals [136, 142]. They also produce different types of medicinally important polysaccharides.