Microbial Interactions and Growth Enhancement Strategies in Microalgal Cultivation Systems

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 585

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in microalgal biotechnology have highlighted the crucial role of microbial interactions and growth enhancement strategies in optimizing cultivation systems. This Special Issue aims to explore the complex relationships between microalgae and various biotic and abiotic factors that influence their growth, metabolism, and productivity. We welcome contributions that investigate novel approaches to enhancing microalgal cultivation through microbial engineering, chemical elicitors, and sustainable growth promoters. Of particular interest are studies examining the molecular mechanisms underlying microalgae–bacteria interactions, the impact of various compounds on microalgal metabolism, and innovative strategies for improving biomass and high-value compound production. We also encourage submissions focused on the optimization of cultivation conditions, stress response mechanisms, and the development of sustainable approaches for industrial-scale microalgal production.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Molecular mechanisms of microalgae–bacteria interactions and their applications in biotechnology;
  2. Novel chemical elicitors and growth promoters for enhanced microalgal cultivation;
  3. Stress response mechanisms and adaptation strategies in microalgal systems;
  4. Optimization of cultivation conditions for improved biomass and metabolite production;
  5. Sustainable approaches for industrial-scale microalgal cultivation;
  6. Advanced techniques for monitoring and controlling microbial communities in algal cultivation systems;
  7. Innovative strategies for enhancing microalgal growth and metabolism through biological and chemical approaches.

Dr. Jiangyu Zhu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microalgae
  • microbial engineering
  • microalgae–bacteria interactions
  • biotechnology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 12939 KB  
Article
Strategic Carbon Source Selection Enhances Biomass and Paramylon Yields in Mixotrophic Euglena gracilis Cultivation
by Xue Xiao, Rui He, Xinyue Guo, Xinxin Zhao, Zhengfei Yang, Yongqi Yin, Minato Wakisaka and Jiangyu Zhu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102339 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 377
Abstract
Euglena gracilis’s mixotrophic metabolism offers biotechnological potential. This study investigated how glucose, sodium acetate, ethanol, and propanetriol regulate its growth, photosynthesis, and paramylon production. All carbon sources boosted paramylon yield versus photoautotrophic controls. Ethanol and glucose were both highly effective, supporting the [...] Read more.
Euglena gracilis’s mixotrophic metabolism offers biotechnological potential. This study investigated how glucose, sodium acetate, ethanol, and propanetriol regulate its growth, photosynthesis, and paramylon production. All carbon sources boosted paramylon yield versus photoautotrophic controls. Ethanol and glucose were both highly effective, supporting the highest biomass accumulation (5.71 and 4.42-fold increases, respectively) and paramylon content without a significant difference between them. Ethanol supplementation enhanced chlorophyll b via coupled TCA cycle/glyoxylate shunt activity, while glucose showed the strongest tendency for high paramylon and the highest carotenoid content (13.36-fold higher). Sodium acetate triggered alkaline stress (pH 8.5), suppressing pigments and inducing spherical cells. Propanetriol reduced biomass but enhanced PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm). These results demonstrate carbon source-driven metabolic partitioning: ethanol and glucose both excel in promoting growth and storage, while additionally directing carbon toward chlorophyll b or carotenoids, respectively. These findings enable targeted bioprocess optimization: selection between ethanol or glucose can be based on the value of co-products, advancing E. gracilis as a sustainable cell factory. Full article
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