Advanced Algal Photosynthesis-Driven Bioremediation Coupled with Renewable Biomass and Bioenergy Production

• US 20100255541A1
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Qiang
• Application Number:
  US12/600,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20100255541A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/71.100
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 33/00 Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/20 from animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/327 from processes relating to the production of dairy products
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/32 characterised by the animals or plants used, e.g. algae
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/125 Unicellular algae isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/205 Bacterial isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/6463 obtained from glyceride producing microorganisms, e.g. single cell oil
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/01 Bacteria or Actinomycetales ; using bacteria or Actinomycetales
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/89 Algae ; Processes using algae
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 in fisheries management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

The present invention relates to algal species and compositions, methods for identifying algae that produce high lipid content, possess tolerance to high CO₂, and/or can grow in waste streams, and methods for using such algae for waste stream remediation and biomass production.

Claims

1. An isolated Chlorococcum species characterized by (i) an optimal growth temperature over 40°

C., (ii) the ability to grow in a high CO₂ environment, (iii) an ability to accumulate large quantities of lutein, and (iv) an ability to assimilate large quantities of nutrients selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous, and inorganic carbon, or progeny thereof.

2. A substantially pure culture, comprising:

(a) a growth medium; and

(b) the isolated algae of claim 1.

3. A system, comprising:

(a) a photobioreactor; and

(b) the substantially pure culture of claim 2.

4. A method for removing nutrients from wastestreams, comprising adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 2, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture.

5. A method for producing biomass, comprising

(a) culturing the algae of claim 1;

and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components from the cultured algae.

6. A method for simultaneously removing nutrients from wastestreams and producing biomass, comprising:

(a) adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 2, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture; and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components.

7. An isolated Scenedesmus species characterized by (i) an ability to grow in a high CO₂ environment, and (ii) an ability to accumulate carotenoids selected from the group consisting of lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, or progeny thereof.

8. A substantially pure culture, comprising:

(a) a growth medium; and

(b) the isolated algae of claim 7.

9. A system, comprising:

(a) a photobioreactor; and

(b) the substantially pure culture of claim 8.

10. A method for removing nutrients from wastestreams, comprising adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 8, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture.

11. A method for producing biomass, comprising

(a) culturing the algae of claim 7;

and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components from the cultured algae.

12. A method for simultaneously removing nutrients from wastestreams and producing biomass, comprising:

(a) adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 8, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture; and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components.

13. An isolated Palmellococcus species, characterized by (i) an ability to grow in a high CO₂ environment, and (ii) an ability to accumulate astacene, or progeny thereof.

14. A substantially pure culture, comprising:

(a) a growth medium; and

(b) the isolated algae of claim 13.

15. A system, comprising:

(a) a photobioreactor; and

(b) the substantially pure culture of claim 14.

16. A method for removing nutrients from wastestreams, comprising adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 14, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture.

17. A method for producing biomass, comprising culturing

(a) the algae of claim 13;

and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components from the cultured algae.

18. A method for simultaneously removing nutrients from wastestreams and producing biomass, comprising:

(a) adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 14, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture; and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components.

19. An isolated Cylindrospermopsis species, characterized by (i) an ability to assimilate large quantities of nutrients selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous, and inorganic carbon, (ii) an ability to accumulate large quantities of protein mass, and (iii) an ability to accumulate phycobiliproteins selected from the group consisting of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin), or progeny thereof.

20. A substantially pure culture, comprising:

(a) a growth medium; and

(b) the isolated algae of claim 19.

21. A system, comprising:

(a) a photobioreactor; and

(b) the substantially pure culture of claim 20.

22. A method for removing nutrients from wastestreams, comprising adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 20, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture.

23. A method for producing biomass, comprising

(a) culturing the algae of claim 19;

and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components from the cultured algae.

24. A method for simultaneously removing nutrients from wastestreams and producing biomass, comprising:

(a) adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 20, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture; and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components.

25. An isolated Planktothrix species characterized by (i) an ability to assimilate large quantities of nutrients selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous, and inorganic carbon, (ii) an ability to accumulate large quantities of protein mass, and (iii) an ability to accumulate phycobiliproteins selected from the group consisting of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin, or progeny thereof.

26. A substantially pure culture, comprising:

(a) a growth medium; and

(b) the isolated algae of claim 25.

27. A system, comprising:

(a) a photobioreactor; and

(b) the substantially pure culture of claim 26.

28. A method for removing nutrients from wastestreams, comprising adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 26, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture.

29. A method for producing biomass, comprising

(a) culturing the algae of claim 25;

and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components from the cultured algae.

30. A method for simultaneously removing nutrients from wastestreams and producing biomass, comprising:

(a) adding a waste stream to the substantially pure culture of claim 26, whereby nutrients in the waste stream are removed by the algae present in the culture; and

(b) harvesting algal protein and/or biomass components.

31. An isolated Chlorococcum species deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______, and mutant strains derived therefrom.

32. An isolated Scenedesmus species deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______, and mutant strains derived therefrom.

33. An isolated Palmellococcus species deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______, and mutant strains derived therefrom.

34. An isolated Cylindrospermopsis species deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______, and mutant strains derived therefrom.

35. An isolated Planktothrix species deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______, and mutant strains derived therefrom.