Flocculation mechanism of the actinomycete Streptomyces sp. hsn06 on Chlorella vulgaris

• Streptomyces was firstly used to harvest Chlorella vulgaris biomass.
• Calcium bridging is the main flocculation mechanism.
• Proteins in mycelial pellets involved in flocculation procedure.
• Mycelial morphology and structure caused dramatic effects on flocculation activity.

In this study, an actinomycete Streptomyces sp. hsn06 with the ability to harvest Chlorella vulgaris biomass was used to investigate the flocculation mechanism. Streptomyces sp. hsn06 exhibited flocculation activity on algal cells through mycelial pellets with adding calcium. Calcium was determined to promote flocculation activity of mycelial pellets as a bridge binding with mycelial pellets and algal cells, which implied that calcium bridging is the main flocculation mechanism for mycelial pellets. Characteristics of flocculation activity confirmed proteins in mycelial pellets involved in flocculation procedure. The morphology and structure of mycelial pellets also caused dramatic effects on flocculation activity of mycelial pellets. According to the results, Streptomyces sp. hsn06 can be used as a novel flocculating microbial resource for high-efficiency harvesting of microalgae biomass.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (175 K)Download as PowerPoint slide