Microalgae Biotechnology and Microbiology: Prospects and Applications

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 455

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Biological Oceanography, Stazione Zoologica “A. Dohrn”, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
Interests: phycology; microalgae; biotechnology; biomass

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Guest Editor
Integrative Bioinformatics, Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, 50829 Cologne, Germany
Interests: phycology; microalgae; alga–microbe interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microalgae and microorganisms in general are ubiquitous entities of significant importance in various biotechnological fields, both in the production of high-value pharmaceutical compounds and in environmental biotechnology, playing a pivotal role in bioremediation.

Achieving optimal results in these areas necessitates the production of biomass, a goal that can be achieved through the implementation of advanced and innovative cultivation techniques. These methodologies ensure enhanced efficiency and productivity.

However, applying techniques such as autotrophic growth under variable light spectra, heterotrophic growth in the presence of organic carbon, or a combination of both approaches is not sufficient. It is equally essential to leverage the potential of photobioreactors, which are specialized systems, either in suspended or immobilized configurations, that play a role in optimizing biomass production. These devices create controlled environments that maximize yields. Their capacity to finely regulate critical parameters ensures that biomass generation is carried out to its fullest potential.

In addition to these cultivation techniques, genetic engineering is increasingly being employed to enhance the efficiency of cultivation methods. By modifying metabolic pathways and improving traits such as growth rates and stress resistance, genetic engineering contributes to greater biomass yields and the development of microorganisms.

The aim of this Special Issue is to compile recent advancements in the cultivation of microalgae, with a focus on industrial applications. We welcome submissions that explore innovative growth strategies, the utilization of bioreactors, and genetic engineering. Original research papers and reviews on these topics are welcome.

Dr. Dora Allegra Carbone
Prof. Dr. Michael Melkonian
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microalgae
  • bacteria
  • photobioreactor
  • bioengineering
  • biomass
  • wastewater
  • compounds

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 5913 KiB  
Article
Putative Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Inducers Enhance Triacylglycerol Accumulation in Chlorella sorokiniana
by Yoomi Roh, Sujeong Je, Naeun Sheen, Chang Hun Shin and Yasuyo Yamaoka
Bioengineering 2025, 12(5), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12050452 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 137
Abstract
Chlorella, recognized for its high lipid and protein content, is increasingly studied for its potential in the food and bio industries. To enhance its production and understand the underlying mechanisms of lipid accumulation, this study investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) [...] Read more.
Chlorella, recognized for its high lipid and protein content, is increasingly studied for its potential in the food and bio industries. To enhance its production and understand the underlying mechanisms of lipid accumulation, this study investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in modulating lipid metabolism in Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 2714, using six putative ER stress inducers: 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), dithiothreitol (DTT), tunicamycin (TM), thapsigargin (TG), brefeldin A (BFA), and monensin (Mon). The results showed that 2-DG, DTT, TM, BFA, and Mon significantly inhibited cell growth in C. sorokiniana. Treatment with 2-DG, DTT, TM, BFA, or Mon resulted in substantial increases in the triacylglycerol (TAG) to total fatty acid (tFA) ratio, with fold changes of 14.8, 7.9, 6.2, 10.1, and 8.9, respectively. Among the tFAs, cells treated with these compounds exhibited higher levels of saturated fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In contrast, the fatty acid composition of TAGs showed the opposite trend, with relative enrichment in PUFAs. This study enhances our understanding of Chlorella lipid metabolism, providing valuable insights for optimizing lipid production, particularly TAGs enriched with PUFA content, for applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and sustainable bioresources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microalgae Biotechnology and Microbiology: Prospects and Applications)
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