Algae biotechnology

Photosynthesis is the only bioprocess capable of building biomass using sunlight as an energy source and carbon dioxide as a C source. Microalgae are particularly suitable for a material or energetic use of photosynthetically produced biomass, since the unicellular phototrophic organisms can utilize sunlight more efficiently than higher plants. Microalgae produce a variety of basic chemical substances such as vitamins, fatty acids or carotenoids with a high value-added potential for the pharmaceutical, food, feed and cosmetics industries.

The Algae Technology group at Fraunhofer IGB develops processes for the customized production of a wide variety of products from microalgae and cyanobacteria in flat plate airlift reactors from laboratory to pilot scale. Current research projects focus on improving productivity and biomass yields, also using off-gas CO2  and liquid digestate. 

To increase the value added from algal biomass, we are investigating the extraction of various functional ingredients from algal biomass: carotenoids such as fucoxanthin and astaxanthin, the omega-3 fatty acid EPA as a polar glycolipid, or proteins and triglycerides for the production of food, feed, cosmetics, agrochemicals, biopolymers and as feedstocks for biobased polymers. For this purpose, we also use new processing technologies, such as the extraction of carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids, cell disruption using pressure swing technology, and extraction with sub- or supercritical fluids

Through targeted process control, the functional ingredients can be produced with high content up to pilot scale. In our greenhouse and field facilities at Fraunhofer CBP, we can carry out the processing of algae ingredients for biomasses on a 100 kg scale as well as the testing of production processes on a pilot scale.

Fields of research

 

Process development in photobioreactors and scale-up

We optimize microalgae cultivation processes in flat-panel airlift reactors developed at Fraunhofer IGB in laboratory scale with the aim of transferring them to outdoor production conditions. For an optimized outdoor process, we have developed an automation concept with simple measurement technology. A scale-up is possible in our pilot plant at Fraunhofer CBP in Leuna.

 

High-value products

For the production of valuable substances, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids (EPA), carotenoids such as fucoxanthin, lutein or astaxanthin, as well as storage products such as oil or starch, we develop one- or two-stage production processes in laboratory scale reactors with the goal of transferring them to outdoor processes. For processing of the valuable products we work out efficient extraction procedures.

 

Algae biomass as a renewable energy source

Storage lipids of algae such as triacylglycerides with the main fatty acids C16: 0, C16: 1 and C18: 1 are suitable for direct energy use, while algae starch can be used for the production of bioethanol. We are looking for suitable algae strains and select growth conditions favoring the formation of storage compounds.

 

Use of microalgae in organic farming

Biological pest-repellent ingredients from microalgae and cyanobacteria can be used as ecologically compatible plant protection products. In cross-departmental cooperation, we have developed processes for the production of microalgae with insect repellent and antifungal activity for applications in organic cultivation of cabbage and organic viticulture, respectively.

 

Recycling of nutrients through algae cultivation

For cultivating microalgae we also use residual waste streams from biogas technology, which contain high amounts of inorganic nutrients such as ammonium and phosphate. In this way, we combine microalgae biomass production with nutrient recycling from fluid digestate.

  • Screening for microalgae and cyanobacteria with a wide variety of properties and constituents
  • Development of photoautotrophic processes from laboratory to pilot scale for microalgae and cyanobacteria in flat plate airlift reactors
  • Process optimization to improve productivity and biomass yield also using off-gas COand liquid fermentation residues
  • Development and adaptation of control software for algae production in the field
  • Development of processes for the isolation, fractionation and purification of algal constituents with the fullest possible utilization of the various fractions
  • Contract production of algae biomass with defined composition on a 100 kg scale

Infrastructure and equipment

Algae plant at Fraunhofer CBP

At Fraunhofer CBP, the pilot plant and the greenhouse are available for free use. The total capacity of the plant is 11.7 cubic meters in a total of 110 reactors, each with a volume of 6, 30 or 180 liters. For outdoor production, 7.2 cubic meters of production capacity is available in four lines with ten 180-liter reactors each. In the greenhouse, scale-up can take place (from 6 to 30 to 180 liters). The modular design also allows a very flexible execution of a wide range of experiments.

The basis for plant operation in the greenhouse is complete process automation and monitoring using "Totally Integrated Automation" from Siemens. A "Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System" (SCADA) is used for data acquisition and networking of independent plant modules.

Visual checks, user interventions and message outputs are carried out via "Human Machine Interfaces" (HMI) at the plant site. The project planning of this system and the development of the software were realized entirely by Fraunhofer IGB.

This software enables the targeted addition of nutrients such as ammonium or nitrate, phosphate and iron to the culture. This means that, decoupled from harvesting cycles, the cell concentration can be precisely adjusted in a defined manner to the available light intensities. This leads to higher stability and productivity of the process. The pH value is controlled by the addition of CO2 via mass flow controllers via the air flow.

Algae cultivation

  • Fully automated pilot plant for the cultivation of microalgae (greenhouse and field) based on flat-panel airlift reactor technology.
    • Indoor (greenhouse): five modules with five 6-liter reactors each, five modules with five 30-liter reactors each, three modules with five 180-liter reactors each - Total of 65 reactors with 3.6 m³ capacity
    • Outdoor (open air): one module with five 180-L reactors, four modules with ten 180-L reactors each - Total of 45 reactors with 8.1 m³ capacity

 

Brochure “Algae - Sustainable source of raw materials for materials and energy”

Scientific publications

JAHR
YEAR
TITEL/AUTOR:IN
TITLE/AUTHOR
PUBLIKATIONSTYP
PUBLICATION TYPE
2022 Management of Hypercholesterolemia Through Dietary ß-glucans-Insights From a Zebrafish Model
Gora, A.H.; Rehman, S.; Kiron, V.; Dias, J.; Fernandes, J.M.O.; Olsvik, P.A.; Siriyappagouder, P.; Vatsos, I.; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Frick, K.; Cardoso, M.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2022 Tocochromanol Profiles in Chlorella sorokiniana, Nannochloropsis limnetica and Tetraselmis suecica Confirm the Presence of 11′-α-Tocomonoenol in Cultured Microalgae Independently of Species and Origin
Montoya-Arroyo, A.; Lehnert, K.; Muñoz-González, A.; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Vetter, W.; Frank, J.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2022 The Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum is Well Suited as a Food with Positive Effects on the Intestinal Microbiota and the Generation of SCFA: Results from a Pre-Clinical Study
Stiefvatter, L.; Neumann, U.; Rings, A.; Frick, Konstantin; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Bischoff, S.C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2021 Immune Status and Hepatic Antioxidant Capacity of Gilthead Seabream Sparus aurata Juveniles Fed Yeast and Microalga Derived v-glucans
Reis, B.; Goncalves, A.T.; Santos, P.; Sardinha, M.; Conceicäo, L.E.C.; Serradeiro, R.; Perez-Sanchez, J.; Calduch-Giner, J.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Frick, K.; Dias, J.; Costas, B.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2021 Oral Bioavailability of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Carotenoids from the Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum in Healthy Young Adults
Stiefvatter, L.; Lehnert, K.; Frick, K.; Montoya-Arroyo, A.; Frank, J.; Vetter, W.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Bischoff, S.C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2020 Coproduction of EPA and Fucoxanthin with P. tricornutum - A Promising Approach for Up‐ and Downstream Processing
Derwenskus, Felix; Schäfer, Benjamin; Müller, Jan; Frick, Konstantin; Gille, Andrea; Briviba, Karlis; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2020 Prozessentwicklung zur Coproduktion von Eicosapentaensäure und Fucoxanthin mit der Kieselalge Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Derwenskus, Felix; Weickert, Sebastian; Frick, Konstantin; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2020 Verfahren sowie Vorrichtung zum Aufbereiten von Zellsuspensionen
Egner, Siegfried; Solyom, Katalin; Vasquez, Ana Lucia; VaronaIgleisias, Salima; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike
Patent

 

2020 Economic evaluation of up- and downstream scenarios for the co-production of fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid with P. tricornutum using flat-panel airlift photobioreactors with artificial light
Derwenskus, Felix; Weickert, S.; Lewandowski, I.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2020 Verfahren zum Erhalt von Fucoxanthin und Fettsäuren aus Algenbiomasse
Derwenskus, Felix; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Bringmann, Christian
Patent

 

2019 Pressurized extraction of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids from wet Chlorella vulgaris and Phaeodactylum tricornutum biomass using subcritical liquids
Derwenskus, Felix; Metz, Felix; Gille, Andrea; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Briviba, Karlis; Schließmann, Ursula; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2019 Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum exerts antiproliferative and antioxidant activities in vitro
Neumann, U.; Derwenskus, Felix; Flister, V.F.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Hirth, Thomas; Bischoff, S.C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2019 A lipophilic fucoxanthin-rich Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract ameliorates effects of diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice
Gille, Andrea; Stojnic, Bojan; Derwenskus, Felix; Trautmann, Andreas; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Posten, Clemens; Briviba, Karlis; Palou, Andreu; Bonet, M. Luisa; Ribot, Joan
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2019 Organismen als Produzenten: Produktion von Wertstoffen mithilfe von Mikroorganismen, Algen und Pflanzenzellen
Rasche, Stefan; Schillberg, Stefan; Derwenskus, Felix; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Schließmann, Ursula
Aufsatz in Buch
Book Article

 

2019 Outdoor microalgae cultivation at different biomass concentrations - Assessment of different daily and seasonal light scenarios by modeling
Holdmann, Claudia; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2018 Bioavailability and safety of nutrients from the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica and Phaeodactylum tricornutum in C57BL/6 mice
Neumann, Ulrike; Derwenskus, Felix; Gille, Andrea; Louis, Sandrine; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Briviba, Karlis; Bischoff, Stephan C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2018 Anti-inflammatory effects of Phaeodactylum tricornutum extracts on human blood mononuclear cells and murine macrophages
Neumann, Ulrike; Louis, Sandrine; Gille, Andrea; Derwenskus, Felix; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Briviba, Karlis; Bischoff, Stephan C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2018 Keeping the light energy constant - cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana at different specific light availabilities and different photoperiods
Holdmann, Claudia; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Hornstein, Helena; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2017 Primary Production
Lewandowski, I.; Lippe, M.; Montoya, J.C.; Dickhöfer, U.; Langenberger, G.; Pucher, J.; Schließmann, U.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Derwenskus, Felix; Lippert, C.
Aufsatz in Buch
Book Article

 

2016 Kultivierung von Chlorella sorokiniana SAG 211/8k bei verschiedenen Lichtintensitäten und unterschiedlichen Beleuchtungszyklen
Holdmann, Claudia; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Hornstein, Helena; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2016 Mikroalgenbioraffinerie - Entwicklung von Zellaufschluss- und Extraktionsprozessen zur Kaskadennutzung von Mikroalgenbiomasse
Derwenskus, Felix; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Schließmann, Ursula; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2016 Microalgae - Underestimated All-rounders
Holdmann, Claudia; Derwenskus, Felix
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2016 Kaskadenextraktion von Mikroalgenbiomasse zur Gewinnung von Wertstoffen für die Lebensmittelproduktion
Derwenskus, Felix; Metz, Felix; Hardtmann, Matthias; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Schließmann, Ursula; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2015 First developments towards closing the nutrient cycle in a biofuel production process
Bagnoud-Velásquez, M.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Peng, G.; Vogel, F.; Ludwig, C.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2013 Optimization of outdoor cultivation in flat panel airlift reactors for lipid production by Chlorella vulgaris
Münkel, R.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Werner, A.; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2013 Hybrid life support systems with integrated fuel cells and photobioreactors for a lunar base
Belz, S.; Ganzer, B.; Messerschmid, E.; Friedrich, K.A.; Schmid-Staiger, U.
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2012 Optimierung des Lipidproduktionsprozesses mit Chlorella vulgaris im Freiland hinsichtlich Lichtausbeute und Lipidgehalt
Münkel, R.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2012 Untersuchung des Zellaufschlusses von Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Schmid-Staiger, U.; Groeger, C.; Seibert, A.; Schliessmann, U.; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2009 Kultivierung von Mikroalgen im Photobioreaktor zur stofflichen und energetischen Nutzung
Schmid-Staiger, U.; Preisner, R.; Marek, P.; Trösch, Walter
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2009 CO2-Killer und Rohstofflieferant - Kultivierung und Nutzung von Mikroalgen
Seibert, A.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Trösch, Walter; Hirth, Thomas
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2005 PHOTOBIOREAKTOR MIT VERBESSERTEM LICHTEINTRAG DURCH OBERFLAECHENVERGROESSERUNG, WELLENLAENGENSCHIEBER ODER LICHTTRANSPORT
Trösch, W.; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Zastrow, A.; Retze, A.; Brucker, F.
Patent

 

2004 Optimization of eicosapentaenoic acid production by Phaeodactylum tricornutumin the flat panel airlift (FPA) reactor
Meiser, A.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Trösch, Walter
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2001 A novel airlift photobioreactor with baffles for improved light utilization through the flashing light effect
Degen, J.; Uebele, A.; Retze, A.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Trösch, Walter
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

2000 Verbesserter Abbau von kommunalen Klärschlämmen in einer zweistufigen Hochlast-Vergärungsanlage
Kempter, B.; Schmid-Staiger, U.; Trösch, Walter
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

1999 One and two-stage digestion of solid organic waste
Schober, G.; Schäfer, J.; Schmid Staiger, U.; Trösch, Walter
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Journal Article

 

1999 Verfahren zum mikrobiellen Abbau organisch belasteter Substrate
Schwarting, N.; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike; Trösch, W.
Patent

 

1998 Verfahren zum Vergaeren von Klaerschlamm
Schaefer, J.; Trösch, W.; Schmid-Staiger, Ulrike
Patent

 

 

Diese Liste ist ein Auszug aus der Publikationsplattform Fraunhofer-Publica

 

This list has been generated from the publication platform Fraunhofer-Publica

Recurring event

EIT Food Online Course

Algae Biotechnology

Techniques and opportunities for the sustainable bioeconomy

 

Level: Professionals

 

Aim of the online course is to provide introductory training and theory in algal biology, culturing, growth and biotechnology under laboratory and small scale pilot facilities.

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