Far-red Light Beneficial for Algae Growth

Far-red Light Beneficial for Algae Growth

Author: Lisa-Marie Rauschendorfer

Light is one of the most important factors influencing the growth, metabolism and chemical composition of algae. The spectral composition of light beneficial for one algae strain is not necessarily beneficial for the growth of other strains. This is due to the fact that plants have developed specific photoreceptors which adapt to the wavelength, light intensity, and direction of the light.

Andrzej Skoczowski, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland, and colleagues tested the effect of the addition of far-red light to blue-red light on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris. They used two different wavelengths in the far-red light spectra, namely 720 nm and 740 nm. Additional light at 740 nm allows higher growth rates, as well as an increase in biomass. FT-Raman spectroscopy of lyophilized cells shows that the chlorophyll, lipid and carotenoid contents are higher, as well. The addition of light at a wavelength of 740 nm is thus significantly more beneficial than at a wavelength of 720 nm.

This finding is important for an improved design of bioreactors utilizing Chlorella vulgaris.


 

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