Search

Cyanobacteria are an ideal host for biofuel production. Although efforts have been made to genetically engineer cyanobacteria for efficient production of biofuels and other important chemicals, the tools that can be applied to cyanobacteria are still limited. A new gene regulation tool, riboregulator, has been examined for application in cyanobacteria. A riboregulator is a nature-inspired RNA tool, which is composed of two artificially designed RNA fragments. Owing to its high specificity and efficacy, it is suitable for metabolic engineering in cyanobacteria, and several studies have been done to optimize and improve the function of the riboregulator. In this review, we focus on the recent improvements made to riboregulators and compare them with other RNA-mediated gene regulation tools developed in cyanobacteria to investigate future applications of riboregulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of reflector film in a cyanobacteria culture rack provides a good light intensity. The effect of light intensity on Spirulina platensis biomass, phycobiliprotein and amino acid content using KNO3 and urea as a nitrogen sources were studied. Maximum biomass productivity 6.9 mg ml−1and 6.1 mg ml−1 with light reflector (LR) + urea and LR + KNO3 respectively, were noticed. The C-phycocyanin (148.1 ± 2.2 mg g−1) and allophycocyanin (45.2 ± 0.94 mg g−1) contents were reached maximum at 4 klx. The rack system with reflector gave good effect of light intensity (4.8–6.0 klx) than the normal system (2–3 klx). Results showed that reflector used cultivation improved biomass, proteinic pigments and protein biosynthesis in S. platensis. This method of cultivation is simple, inexpensive and requires low energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of microalgae and cyanobacteria for the production of biofuels and other raw materials is considered a very promising sustainable technology due to the high areal productivity, potential for CO2 fixation and use of non-arable land. The production of oil by microalgae in a large scale plant was studied using emergy analysis. The joint transformity calculated for the base scenario was 1.32E + 5 sej/J, the oil transformity was 3.51E + 5 sej/J, the emergy yield ratio (EYR) was 1.09 and environmental loading ratio was 11.10 and the emergy sustainability index (ESI) was 0.10, highlighting some of the key challenges for the technology such as high energy consumption during harvesting, raw material consumption and high capital and operation costs. Alternatives scenarios and the sensitivity to process improvements were also assessed, helping prioritize further research based on sustainability impact. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]