Progress 08/12/13 to 07/29/18
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
PD is no longer employed. Nothing to report
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The research conducted during this reporting period is pertinent to individuals and agencies interested in: securing our Nations fuel supply (i.e. The Department of Defense), the production of renewable fuels, currently operating microalgae facilities, academic/government/private researchers studying microalgae biomass production, feed mills producing terrestrial and aquatic feeds, private/public companies raising terrestrial/aquatic organisms and the general public that work for these industries or buy their products. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently serving as a co-chair for 2 Master's students and as a committee member for 4 Master's students and 1 Doctoral student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented at the 2017 Algae Biomass Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah and at the Annual Meeting of Aquaculture America in San Antonio, Texas. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research activities continued to focus on the development of microalgae production strategies for the generation of algal biomass at increased production levels, optimized proximate composition for use in terrestrial and aquatic feeds, and reduced production costs to enhance the competitiveness of the microalgae industry in the United States. Specific projects focused on 1) optimizing nutrient use in mixed cultures using our best algal strains to date, 2) continued reduction of biomass production costs through the use of increased culture alkalinity to reduce supplemental carbon dioxide, and 3) the use of algal turf scrubbers to produce cost-effective biomass. Project 1: We performed a 90-day outdoor mixed culture growth trial in our 557 liter raceways using our best performing algal strains to optimize nutrient utilization. Cultures were scaled up and stocked into 12 outdoor raceways (557L at 20 cm depth) at an initial stocking density of ~0.15 g/L AFDW at 5 cm depth. Water depth in each raceway was gradually increased to a final depth of 20 cm. All raceways (n=12) were supplemented with our standard nutrient blend to an N:P ratio of 10:1 at 0.49 mM nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), 0.05 mM phosphorus (phosphoric acid), and 0.018 mM iron (iron sulfate). Raceways were monitored daily for solar radiation, rainfall, wind-speed, pH, temperature, salinity, afdw, ammonia, nitrate and phosphate. Raceway contamination (visual microscopic observation) was monitored every 4 days. There were no significant differences in average biomass productivity between the treatments when grown in either batch or semi-continuous culture. Productivity for these trials averaged 9.04±2.89 g AFDW/m2/day for the winter/spring season. For each kg of nitrogen added we produced 10.36 kg of algal biomass on a dry weight basis and for each kg of phosphorus added we produced 58.06 kg of algal biomass on a dry weight basis. These numbers represent a significant improvement in nutrient utilization which makes biomass production more sustainable and reduces production costs. Biomass harvested from this experiment was frozen for use in growth trials. Project 2: In these trials the feasibility of using increased culture alkalinity to reduce costly supplemental carbon dioxide was assessed. Cultures of N. salina (CCMP 1776) were obtained from the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota. Cultures were scaled up and stocked into 12 outdoor raceways (557L at 20 cm depth) at an initial stocking density of ~0.15 g/L AFDW at 5 cm depth. Water depth in each raceway was gradually increased to a final depth of 20 cm. All raceways (n=12) were supplemented with our standard nutrient blend to an N:P ratio of 10:1 at 0.49 mM nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), 0.05 mM phosphorus (phosphoric acid), and 0.018 mM iron (iron sulfate). Control (n=3) raceways received standard carbon dioxide supplementation at natural seawater alkalinity levels. Experimental raceways (n=3 each) received no supplemental carbon dioxide and had culture alkalinity levels of 700, 3000 or 6000 mg/L. The raceways maintained at 700 mg/L alkalinity passed the control treatment (carbon dioxide addition) in AFDW, productivity, and cell counts of N. salina. This data demonstrates algae can be successfully grown without costly carbon dioxide addition. This would allow algal facilities to locate in areas where production conditions are optimal instead of locating where there is a source of readily available carbon dioxide. This should lower overall costs and make the use of biomass as a feed ingredient more feasible. Biomass from these trials was saved for use in growth trials. Project 3: Algal turf scrubbers (ATS) are widely used for wastewater nutrient removal from natural waterways such as streams and rivers. The system is typically arranged as a downward sloping flow-way onto which a mesh matrix is attached to assist in colonization by multiple naturally occurring filamentous macroalgae taxa. As water flows over the developed algae mat, soluble nitrogen and phosphorus are assimilated by the algae and water quality is ameliorated. The attached algae in these systems can be harvested with relative ease without the use of centrifuges and flocculation. Additionally, operating single pass systems like the ATS may allow for sufficient gas exchange with the atmosphere to reduce or eliminate the costs and logistical challenges associated with supplying supplemental CO2 in large-scale open ponds. These benefits allow ATS systems to be less expensive to install and operate than closed algal systems. Efforts are currently underway at Sandia National Laboratories to assess the potential of algal turf for biofuel feedstock necessitating the need to further optimize these ATS systems. To optimize the ATS for biomass production and nutrient utilization, a twelve lane (each lane 1 foot wide by 40-feet long) ATS system was constructed. Studies were conducted to test the effectiveness of different matrices (1, 2 and 3 dimensional), harvest schedules (4-14 days), and nutrient load (in-situ bay water, simulated aquaculture, and domestic wastewater) under single pass and re-circulated conditions. Biomass production (g AFDW/m2/day) and composition (percent ash, protein, lipid and fiber) were determined for each trial. Water samples were taken daily to monitor nutrient removal rates. Solar intensity, wind speed, and precipitation were also measured daily. Dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and pH were measured twice daily and recorded for each ATS lane. Data from these trials indicated 3-D matrices outperform 1 and 2-D matrices, a 4-day harvest schedule outperformed 7, 10 and 14 day harvest schedules, and aquaculture water can be successfully utilized as a nutrient source for production of algal biomass in ATS systems.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Siccardi III, A.J., Mitchell, J.M., Huysman, N.D., Davis, R.W., Pate, R.C., Fox, J.M., Scarpa, J., Richardson, C.M., Croakett, J.K., and Calahan, S. 2017. Optimization of algal turf scrubbers for biomass production and nutrient utilization. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract) presented at the Algal Biomass Summit, Salt Lake City, Utah, October, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Konkle, B., Huysman, N., Scarpa, J., and Siccardi III, A.J. A seasonal comparison of proximate composition of mixed cultures versus monocultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornumtum in semi-continuus outdoor raceways. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Siccardi III, A.J., Huysman, N.D., Beal, C.M., Thomas, T., Richardson, C.M., Mitchell, J., Lane, T.W. In-vitro digestibility of two microalgae by-products and whole cell microalgae in aquatic diets. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Jones McClellan, I.C., Siccardi III, A.J., Gatlin III, D.M., Fox, J.M., Huysman, N., Jones, C.W. Evaluation of marine microalgae biomass for protein replacement in aquaculture feeds. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mitchell, J., Scarpa, J., Fox, J., Huysman, N., Pate, R., Zivojnovich, M., Calahan, D., Siccardi III, A. Optimization of algal turf scrubbers for large-scale super-intensive aquaculture. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Huysman, N., Gatlin, D., Mitchell, J., Crockett, J., Siccardi III, A. Selection of microalgae cultures based on amino acid profiles and protein content to be used as fish meal replacements in aquaculture diets. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Norris, B., Vega, R., Fox, J., Siccardi, A. Effects of pH and salinity on juvenile hatchery-reared red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society (Aquaculture America 2017). San Antonio, TX. February 19-22, 2017.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The research conducted during this reporting period is pertinent to individuals and agencies interested in: securing our Nations fuel supply (i.e. The Department of Defense), the production of renewable fuels, currently operating microalgae facilities, academic/government/private researchers studying microalgae biomass production, feed mills producing terrestrial and aquatic feeds, private/public companies raising terrestrial/aquatic organisms and the general public that work for these industries or buy their products. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently serving as a co-chair for 3 Master's students, as a committee member for 5Master's students and one Doctoral student at Texas A&MCorpus Christi. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented at the 2016Algae Biomass Summit in Pheonix, Arizonaand at the Annual Meeting of Aquaculture America in Las Vegas, Nevada. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research activities continued to focus on the development of microalgae production strategies for the generation of algal biomass at increased production levels, optimized proximate composition for use in terrestrial and aquatic feeds and reduced production costs to enhance the competitiveness of the microalgae industry in the United States. Specific projects focused on 1) the optimization of the algal amino acid profile for use in the aquaculture feed industry; 2) recycling of phosphorus to reduce production costs and increase sustainability, and 3) the screening of microalgae digestibility in shrimp and fish diets. Project 1: Three incubator trials utilizing five different species of microalgae (Tetraselmis sp., Platymonas sp., Cylindrotheca sp., Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Thalassiosira sp.) were conducted to attempt to identify possible microalgal species that could be utilized in conjunction with N. salina and P. tricornutum to create a more suitable amino acid profile for the aquaculture feed industry. Three incubator trials (Tetraselmis sp., Platymonas sp., Cylindrotheca sp., Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Thalassiosira sp.) were run under controlled conditions in a constantly illuminated and temperature controlled (22oC) incubator. Cultures were supplied with 24hr. atmospheric aeration at ≈0.2 L/min. Two different nutrient formulations were used: f/2 (Bigelow Laboratories) and our traditional ammonium sulfate and phosphoric acid based nutrients with matched molar levels to f/2. Absorbance growth curves (750nm) were built based on ash free dry weight(AFDW) measurements for each individual species. Flasks (1L) were inoculated to ≈0.04 g/L AFDW based on absorbance using natural seawater adjusted to ≈30ppt. After initial nutrient supplementation, each flask was randomly placed into the incubator for trial duration of 10 days to allow for complete nutrient utilization. Each flask was sampled daily for absorbance and nutrient levels. Growth rates and amino acid profiles were determined for each algal species. As it is unlikely a single strain of microalgae will have the nutritional composition to replace fishmeal this research is vital to advance dietary fishmeal replacement with microalgae. Amino acid profiles from each microalgae were entered into least cost feed formulation software and an optimized microalgae blend was developed for potential use as a fishmeal replacement. Project 2: In these trials the feasibility of recycling phosphorus from lipid extracted algae biomass was tested. N. salina biomass was cultured outdoors and harvested by centrifugation. Biomass was re-suspended in natural seawater, lysed using a pulse field electric generator and then passed through a membrane to remove the lipid from the algal biomass. The lipid extracted algae was further processed by osmotic shock and digestion to remove phosphorus for recycle back into the algal production raceways. Cultures of N. salina (CCMP 1776) were obtained from the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota. Cultures were scaled up and stocked into 6 or 12 outdoor raceways depending on experiment (557L at 20 cm depth) at an initial stocking density of ~0.15 g/L AFDW at 5 cm depth. Water depth in each raceway was gradually increased to a final depth of 20 cm. Two experimental trials were conducted. In trial 1 control raceways (n=3) were supplemented with our standard nutrient blend to an N:P ratio of 10:1 at 0.49 mM nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), 0.05 mM phosphorus (phosphoric acid), and 0.018 mM iron (iron sulfate). Recycled phosphorus treatment raceways (n=3) were supplemented with recycled phosphorus (liberated cellular phosphorus as described above), nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), and iron (iron sulfate) to match equivalent molar levels as those in the control raceways. In trial 2 control raceways (n=6) were supplemented with our standard nutrient blend to an N:P ratio of 13:1 at 1.04 mM nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), 0.08 mM phosphorus (phosphoric acid), and 0.02 mM iron (from iron sulfate). Recycled phosphorus treatment raceways (n=6) were supplemented with recycled phosphorus (liberated cellular phosphorus as described above), nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), and iron (iron sulfate) to match equivalent molar levels as those in the treatment raceways. Trials were terminated after 10 days. Results from these trials demonstrated phosphorus can be recycled from lipid extracted biomass without an effect on microalgae growth. Utilization of this recycled phosphorus will greatly enhance the sustainability of microalgae culture. Project 3: These trials compared the proximate composition and in-vitro digestibility of whole algal biomass to that of solventless lipid extracted algae (LEA) and LEA which also has been extracted to remove phosphorus (LEA-p). Microalgae were grown in outdoor raceways under controlled conditions at the AgriLife Mariculture facility. Harvested microalgae biomass was lysed using a pulse field electric generator and then passed through a membrane to remove the lipid from the algal biomass. A portion of the LEA was further processed by osmotic shock and digestion to remove phosphorus for recycle back into the algal production raceways. In this study, fish digestibility was assessed as a percentage of nitrogen in the soluble fraction after treatment of the protein source with proteases and subsequent precipitation of undigested protein by trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Shrimp digestibility was assessed by in vitropH-stat degree of protein hydrolysis with species-specific enzymes for juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Results from these trials indicated there is no significant difference in digestibility between the whole algae, LEA and LEA-p.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Fox, J.M., Siccardi III, A.J. and D.M. Gatlin III. 2016. Nutrition-based evaluation of algae biomass as feed ingredients for aquaculture. 6th International Conference on Algae Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. Paradise Point Resort, San Diego, CA. June 26-29, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Pate, R., Fogleman, B., Drennen, T., Davis, R., George, A., Pacheco, P., Wu. B., Quinn, J., DeMill, C., Zivojnovich, M., Adey, W., Calahan, S. and A. Siccardi. 2016. Updated feasibility assessment of polyculture algae turf to fuels. 6th International Conference on Algae Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. Paradise Point Resort, San Diego, CA. June 26-29, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Davis, R., Pate, R., Wu, B., Drenne, T., Calahan, D., Zivojnovich, M., Siccardi, A. and J. Quinn. Updated project status and feasibility of polyculture algae turf to fuels. Algae Biomass Summit. Phoenix, AZ. October 23-26, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Siccardi, A., Huysman, N., Fuqua, Z., Davis, R., Richardson, R. and T. Lane. A comparison of struvite and traditionally used nutrients in 90-day, semi-continuous, mixed algae culture production trials in outdoor raceways. Annual meeting of the World Aquaculture Society. Las Vegas, NV. February 22-26, 2016.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Nathan Huysman, "Evaluation of struvite as a replacement for traditional sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in the production of microalgae in outdoor raceways" Master's Thesis, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi http://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/667
|
Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The research conducted during this reporting period is pertinent to individuals and agencies interested in: securing our Nations fuel supply (i.e. The Department of Defense), the production of renewable fuels, currently operating microalgae facilities, academic/government/private researchers studying microalgae biomass production, feed mills producing terrestrial and aquatic feeds, private/public companies raising terrestrial/aquatic organisms and the general public that work for these industries or buy their products. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently serving as a co-chair for 3 Master's students and as a committee member for 6 Master's students at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented at the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit in Washington D.C. and at the Annual Meeting of Aquaculture America in New Orleans, Louisiana. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research activities continued to focus on the development of microalgae production strategies for the generation of algal biomass at increased production levels, optimized proximate composition for use in terrestrial and aquatic feeds and reduced production costs to enhance the competitiveness of the microalgae industry in the United States.Specific projects focused on 1) the optimization of the N:P ratio in nutrient mixes which utilize struvite (a recycled nutrient) as the sole phosphorus source, 2) the use of different nitrogen sources (NO3 and NH4) and seawater (raw vs. treated) on the productivity of microalgae grown in batch and semi-continuous culture in outdoor raceways, 3) the comparison of different nitrogen (NH3 and NO3) combinations, and 4) the use of use of recycled nutrients (struvite) for the culture of microalgae under semi-continuous conditions for 90 day durations.Project 1: Cultures of Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (local isolate) were stocked into sixteen 1L flasks in a temperature and light controlled incubator. Each flask was tested daily for ash free dry weight (AFDW) and nutrients.The incubator temperature was adjusted to 22oC for the N. salina trials and 16oC for the P. tricornutum trials.Struvite based media was compared at selected N:P ratios (24:1, 16:1, 8:1, and 1:1). In all trials the struvite contributed 100% of the phosphorus in all treatments.Experimental results indicated there was no difference in growth rates suggesting the media needs to be optimized based on the nitrogen and phosphorus utilization rates to prevent excess nutrients in the harvest water and to reduce costs.These results are being applied to outdoor algal production trials to enhance the use of nutrients, reduce costs and increase algal biomass production.Project 2: In these trials productivity (g AFDW/m2/day) and cell counts were compared for Nannochloropsis salina cultures grown with different nitrogen sources (NH3 or NO3) in either raw or treated seawater in batch or semi-continuous culture in 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways.There were no differences in productivity between nitrogen sources and raw vs. treated seawater in batch or semi-continuous culture.In batch culture the raceways receiving nitrate were overrun with an invading diatom species which was not witnessed for the trials receiving ammonia as the nitrogen source.In semi-continuous culture only cultures receiving filtered seawater and ammonia as the nitrogen source maintained N. salina dominance.Data from these trials indicates the importance of selecting the nitrogen source based on production strategies.These results are being applied to additional studies in an effort to utilize "less filtered" seawater to reduce overall production costs.Project 3: In these trials productivity (g AFDW/m2/day) were compared for Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) cultures grown with different blends of nitrogen sources (NH3 or NO3) in batch or semi-continuous culture in 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways.In these experiments the control raceways (n=3) were supplemented with our standard nutrient blend of ammonium sulfate, phosphoric acid and iron sulfate.Experimental treatments (n=3 each) were supplemented with sodium nitrate to replace 33, 67 and 100% of the nitrogen in the control treatment.Raceways were monitored daily for solar radiation, rainfall, wind-speed, pH, temperature, salinity, afdw, ammonia, nitrate and phosphate. Raceway contamination (visual observation) was monitored every 4 days.There were no significant differences in average biomass productivity between the treatments when grown in either batch or semi-continuous culture.The data from these trials suggests either ammonia or nitrate may be used as the nitrogen source in the nutrient mix without any adverse effect on growth.Raceway contamination (based on microscopic evaluation) was not different between the treatments for the duration of the trials.Project 4: This study was designed to measure the growth and proximate analysis (lipid and protein) of produced biomass over the course of 90 days of semi-continuous production using our optimized nutrient blend.The trial was conducted in 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways using a mixed culture of Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (local isolate).Productivity over the 90 day period averaged ~17 g AFDW/m2/day with a protein and lipid content in the produced algal biomass of 60.7% and 15.3%, respectively.This proximate analysis appears ideal for addition to aquatic and terrestrial diets. Additional research is being conducted to optimize the microalgae "blends" to enhance the amino acid profiles of the produced biomass.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Siccardi III, A.J., Huysman, N.D., Fuqua, Z.B., Davis, R.W., Richardson, C.M., and Lane, T.W. 2015. A Comparison of Struvite and Traditionally Used Nutrients in 90-day, Semi-continuous, Mixed Culture Production Trials in Outdoor Raceways. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract) presented at the Algal Biomass Summit, Washington D.C., September, 2015.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Davis, R.W., Siccardi III, A.J., Huysman, N.D., Wyatt, N.B., Hewson, J.C., Lane T.W. 2015. Growth of mono- and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum on struvite as a nutrient source. Bioresource Technology. Dec; 198:571-85.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Siccardi III, A.J., Richardson, C.M., Dowd, M.K., Wedegaertner, T.C., Samocha, T.M. (in press). Apparent digestibility of six glandless cottonseed meals in diets for the pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Accepted by the Journal of World Aquaculture Society.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Huysman, N.D., Fuqua, Z.B., Zimba, P.V., Fox, J.M., Lane, T.W., Davis, R.W., Richardson, C.M., and Siccardi III, A.J. 2015. Utilization of Struvite to Replace Traditionally used Nutrients for the Production of Microalgae in Mixed and Mono Cultures in Outdoor Raceways. Abstract presented at the Annual Meeting of Aquaculture America in New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 February 22, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fuqua, Z.B., Huysman, N.D., Zimba, P.V., Fox, J.M., Lane, T.W., Davis, R.W., Richardson, C.M., and Siccardi III, A.J. 2015. Comparison of Struvite Based Nutrient Formulation and Three Traditional Nutrient Formulations having Varying N:P Ratios for the Production of Microalgae. Abstract presented at the Annual Meeting of Aquaculture America in New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 February 22, 2015.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The research conducted during this reporting period is pertinent to individuals and agencies interested in: securing our Nations fuel supply (i.e. The Department of Defense), the production of renewable fuels, currently operating microalgae facilities, academic/government/private researchers studying microalgae biomass production, feed mills producing terrestrial and aquatic feeds, private/public companies raising terrestrial/aquatic organisms and the general public that work for these industries or buy their products. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities: Currently serving as a co-chair for 2 Master's students and as a committee member for 3 Master’s students at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Professional development: Attended the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit in San Diego, California. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results were presented at the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit in San Diego, California, the 5th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology, and the 4th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts and at the Texas A&M AgriLife fall seminar series. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research activities continued to focus on the development of microalgae production strategies for the generation of algal biomass at increased production levels and reduced costs to enhance the competitiveness of the microalgae industry in the United States. Specific projects focused on 1) the use of recycled nutrients (struvite) for the culture of microalgae, 2) the optimization of the N:P ratio in microalgae nutrient formulations, and 3) the production of microalgae biomass best suited for the inclusion into terrestrial and aquatic feeds. Project 1 was conducted in 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways using monocultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum and a mixed culture of N. salina and P. tricornutum. Studies were designed to replace 33, 67 and 100% of the nitrogen and phosphorus in the control treatment with struvite. Results from these studies indicate struvite was able to replace up to 100% of the phosphorus and nitrogen (1:1 N:P ratio) with no effect on microalgae growth in mono and mixed culture. Additionally the data suggests that the "slow release" of the struvite nutrients did not appear to have any benefit on microalgae growth or raceway contamination (microscopic evaluation) when supplemented at a 1:1 N:P ratio. Project 2 was conducted in a temperature and light controlled incubator and compared commercial algal growth mediums (F/2, L1 and Prov-50) to our “in-house” algal medium at N:P ratios from 1:1 to 26:1. Studies were conducted with mono and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum to assess growth and lipid production. Experimental results indicated the optimal N:P ratio for the production of algal biomass and lipid varies by species and environmental conditions. These results are being applied to outdoor algal production trials to enhance the use of nutrients, reduce costs and increase algal biomass production. Project 3 was conducted in 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways using a mixed culture of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The study was designed to measure the growth and proximate analysis (lipid and protein) of produced biomass over the course of 90 days of continuous production using our optimized nutrient blend. Productivity over the 90 day period averaged 16.6 g AFDW/m2/day with a protein and lipid content in the produced algal biomass of 48.7% and 18.8%, respectively. This proximate analysis appears ideal for addition to aquatic and terrestrial diets. Additional work is being conducted to increase the biomass productivity and reduce production costs.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Siccardi III, A.J., Huysman, N.D., Fuqua, Z.B., Davis, R.W., Richardson, C.M., Stafford, D.H., and Lane, T.W. 2014. Utilization of struvite to replace traditionally used nutrients for the production of microalgae in mixed and mono cultures. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), Algal Biomass Summit, San Diego, California. September, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lane, P.D., Davis, R.W., Hewson, J.C., Siccardi III, A.J., Kipp, P., Truscott, S., Wyatt, N., and Lane, T.W. 2014. Nutrient Recycling for Sustained Algal Production. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), Algal Biomass Summit, San Diego, California. September, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lane, P.D., Davis, R.W., Hewson, J.C., Wyatt, N.B., Siccardi III, A.J., Kipp, P., and Lane, T.W. 2014. Nutrient Recycling for Sustained Algal Production. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), 5th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology, Sydney, Australia. June 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lane, P.D., Davis, R.W., Hewson, J.C., Wyatt, N., Siccardi III, A.J., Kipp, P., and Lane, T.W. 2014. Nutrient Recycling for Sustained Algal Production. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), 4th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts, Santa Fe, New Mexico. June 2014
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Richardson, C.M., Siccardi III, A.J., Palle, S.R., Campbell, L.M., Puckhaber, L., Stipanovic, R.D., Wedegaertner, T.C., Rathore, K.S., Samocha, T.M. (in press). Evaluation of ultra-low gossypol cottonseed and regular glandless cottonseed meals as dietary protein and lipid sources for Litopenaeus vannamei reared under zero-exchange conditions. Accepted by Aquaculture Nutrition
|
Progress 08/12/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: In this reporting period the research conducted was pertinent to individuals and agencies interested in the production of renewable fuels, currently operating microalgae facilities and academic/government/private researchers studying microalgae biomass production. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities: Serving as a mentor/co-chair for a Master's student at A&M-Corpus Christi Professional development: Attended the 2013 Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando Florida. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The initial results from objective 2 (optimize the use of recycled nutrients for the culture of microalgae) were presented at the 2013 Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando Florida in a presentation given by Dr. Todd Lane (Sandia National Laboratories). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research activities (8/12/13 – 9/30/13) focused on optimizing the use of recycled nutrients (struvite) for the culture of microalgae. Batch culture trials were conducted in our 12 outdoor (550 liter) raceways using monocultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum and a mixed culture of N. salina and P. tricornutum. Studies were designed to replace 33, 67 and 100% of the phosphorus in the control treatment with struvite. Results from these studies indicate struvite was able to replace up to 100% of the phosphorus (16:1 N:P ratio) with no effect on microalgae growth in mono and mixed culture. Additionally the data suggests the “slow release” of the struvite nutrients did not appear to have any benefit on microalgae growth or raceway contamination (microscopic evaluation) when supplemented at a 16:1 N:P ratio.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Lane, P.D., Davis, R.W., Hewson, J.C., Siccardi, A.J., Fuqua, Z.B., and Lane, T.W. 2013. Nutrient recycling for sustainable algal mass culture. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), Algae Biomass Summit, Orlando, Florida. September, 2013
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