Flashing light in microalgae biotechnology

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 203; pp. 357 - 363
• Main Authors: Abu-Ghosh, Said, Fixler, Dror, Dubinsky, Zvy, Iluz, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Biomass; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Energy efficiency; Flashing light; Light; Microalgae - growth & development; Microalgae - physiology; Microalgae biotechnology; Photoperiod; Photosynthesis; PUFA; Flashing light; Microalgae biotechnology; Energy efficiency; Biomass; PUFA
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.12.057

•Flashing light effect on microalgae is comprehensively reviewed.•Recent studies in flashing light use in microalgae biotechnology are discussed.•Novel bioreactors that create flashing light effect are introduced.•Flashing light is still not applied on large scale in microalgae biotechnology.•Future aspects and suggestions related to flashing light are outlined. Flashing light can enhance photosynthesis and improve the quality and quantity of microalgal biomass, as it can increase the products of interest by magnitudes. Therefore, the integration of flashing light effect into microalgal cultivation systems should be considered. However, microalgae require a balanced mix of the light/dark cycle for higher growth rates, and respond to light intensity differently according to the pigments acquired or lost during the growth. This review highlights recently published results on flashing light effect on microalgae and its applications in biotechnology, as well as the recently developed bioreactors designed to fulfill this effect. It also discusses how this knowledge can be applied in selecting the optimal light frequencies and intensities with specific technical properties for increasing biomass production and/or the yield of the chemicals of interest by microalgae belonging to different genera.