![\"Alage\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/jugroup\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1126\/2014\/09\/Alage-300x249.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWe have many years of experience with phagotrophic algae (algae that can eat particles and other small bacteria). \u00a0Much of our algae research is focused on\u00a0developing patent-pending processes that employ unique bioprocesses to promote the establishment of stable and desirable algae species, preferably with high oil content. \u00a0With our\u00a0versatile process, algae can be used as viable method for waste treatment, oil collection, and organic removal. \u00a0As an added benefit, algal lipids can\u00a0be collected and converted to biodiesel. \u00a0The process can be tailored to simultaneously remove organic, nitrogen-containing, and phosphorus-containing materials from the waste stream (most commonly in\u00a0waste water). \u00a0With the overall costs reduced\u00a0by the optional\u00a0biodiesel production and simplified wastewater treatment, these processes are\u00a0expected to have very favorable overall economics.<\/p>\n
The ultimate scale and sustainability of biodiesel industry depends on successful development of non-food renewable feedstock.\u00a0 Some algae have very high oil (lipid) contents (50-70% dry weight).\u00a0 These algal lipids have similar compositions as vegetable oil and are readily adoptable as feedstock to the existent biodiesel manufacturing processes.\u00a0 Algae technology promises a\u00a0non-food and renewable biodiesel feedstock.\u00a0 This goal\u00a0has long been recognized, yet\u00a0pursued from the approach of photosynthetic cultivation, which is conceptually attractive but practically difficult.\u00a0 While algae are indeed capable of growing in very simple aqueous media with sunlight as energy source and CO2 as carbon source, the culture\u2019s self-shading and light saturation properties prevent the light from penetrating beyond small depths and waste a large fraction of light energy as heat.\u00a0 This approach is therefore limited to use very shallow ponds (thus, requiring large land use) and achieve low productivity, unacceptable to production of high-volume low-value industrial products such as biodiesel.<\/p>\n
We have developed a versatile algal platform to convert waste organics into algal biomass and lipids. \u00a0Our algal platform utilizes\u00a0a unique species of algae that is capable of growing on dissolved organics, consuming smaller\u00a0bacteria,\u00a0and using photosynthesis when available. \u00a0Therefore, this\u00a0species of algae does not rely on light penetration and allows for much higher cell concentrations (~20 g\/L dry weight). \u00a0Furthermore, this algae\u00a0is\u00a0also rich in lipids (~40%) and the lipid content can be increased up to 70% by weight. \u00a0Our studies demonstrate that this algal platform can be successfully applied to both soluble waste organics (wastewater) and solid waste organics (waste sludge).<\/p>\n
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Microscopic image showing the ingested bacteria in algal cells (small green dots are bacteria)<\/p>\n
Multi-step method for producing algae products(#WO 2009088839 A3)<\/a><\/p>\n Algae having intracellular lipid particles and high lipid content (#US 20140038247 A1)<\/a><\/p>\n Producing algal biomass and products from organic solid material (#WO2014194174 A1)<\/a><\/p>\n Cultivation of phagotrophic algae with waste activated sludge as a fast approach to reclaim waste organics (Cong Li , Suo Xiao, and Lu-Kwang Ju) Water Research, 91, 105-202 (2016).\u00a0Article<\/a><\/p>\n Conversion of wastewater organics into biodiesel feedstock through the predator-prey interactions between phagotrophic microalgae and bacteria. Cong. Li, Lu-Kwang Ju. RSC Advances<\/em> 4 (83), 44026-44029.<\/p>\n Microalga Ochromonas danica<\/em> fermentation and lipid production from waste organics such as ketchup. (Z. Lin, A. Raya, L.-K. Ju) Process Biochemistry (in press, published online 6\/3\/2014). Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We have many years of experience with phagotrophic algae (algae that can eat particles and other small bacteria). \u00a0Much of our algae research is focused on\u00a0developing patent-pending processes that employ unique bioprocesses to promote the establishment of stable and desirable algae species, preferably with high oil content. \u00a0With our\u00a0versatile process, \u2026<\/p>\nPublications:<\/h1>\n