Magnetic microalgae have been obtained via continuous electroporation method. This method was established thanks to a new device that allowed continuous electroporation. The device has been design, constructed and used at NTUA and presence of magnetic nanoparticles inside cells has been confirmed via Prussian blue test. Viability of magnetic cells reached 50+ days without any particular issue on their reproduction (growth) achieving 20-25% of cells that uptake the right amount of nanoparticles and a viability >70%.
Magnetization of microalgae cells has been achieved. Indeed, after electroporation microalgae cells can be attracted via permanent magnet. The presence of magnetic nanoparticles inside cells was proved by staining cells with Prussian blue reagent that in presence of iron gives to cells a blue colour.
All subparts of the magnetic cone and the cultivation chamber have been studied and developed and the integration of the system and the initial operation have been done. The entire pilot installation has been completed. SOMAC, cultivation chamber, dewatering system, piping network, and electronic/control systems were successfully integrated creating the mPBR. Microalgae cells have been used along with growth media to test and adjust all control and regulation modules. The operation of the plant using magnet cells has been performed proving the proper implementation of the proposed innovative technology. However, the biomass production was lower than the expected. Improvements and recommendations were proposed based on the process simulations and energy/exergy calculations, while the sustainability of the process has been proved by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that was carried out.
Several microalgae species were chosen for characterization, on the basis of their potential industrial application in food, nutraceutical & cosmetics sectors. Experimental investigations have been focused on the extraction of bioactive compounds using accelerated solvent extraction and supercritical carbon dioxide. Furthermore, species were selected to check the antimicrobial activity of their extracts on fungal and bacterial plant pathogens under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions with very interesting results.
CO2 sequestration and water recycling experiments on a lab scale were carried out. Achievements highlighted that membrane technology is an effective and valuable de-watering technology, allowing to achieve a high percentage concentration of biomass (i.e. 27%). Investigations were performed by using two microalgae species.
Regarding dissemination and exploitation, several activities have been carried out. Project Identity, Project website, Social Media (Twitter, LinkedIn), Dissemination and Communication material, 1 Project Video, 7 Newsletters, 9 Presentations in Conferences, 32 Scientific Publications, 4 Non-Scientific Publications, Identification of 38 most active stakeholders in microalgae area, 5 interviews with the most important stakeholders in microalgae area.
