199
immobilization is more preferable for filamentous forms of microalgae (Trevan and
Mak 1988).
Apart from the immobilization techniques, the choice of carrier materials for
microalgae attachment is another crucial decision. Nowadays, there is a wide choice
of natural and synthetic materials for microalgae immobilization as it is a rapidly
developing area of biotechnology. The preeminence of natural carriers is biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and ease of recycling. Their disadvantages are high cost
and lower stability in wastewater as compared to synthetic carriers. As a rule, natural polymers are less resistant to biodegradation. However, the diffusivity in natural
materials is higher than in synthetic ones, and they are safe for the environment
(Leenen et al. 1996). Several natural polymers such as loofa, sphagnum, turf, glass,
wood, and natural polysaccharides (alginate, cellulose, carrageenan, chitosan) could
be used for passive immobilization techniques. Synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polysulfone, and
epoxy resin have been experimentally used for microalgae attachment (MorenoGarrido 2008). Anyway, the carrier material must be hydrophilic, not impeding the
mass transfer in the cultivation system or in wastewaters.
The ideal carrier for microalgae should meet the following criteria (Willaert
2017; Moreno-Garrido 2008; Hameed and Ebrahim 2007; Mallick 2002; Eroglu
et al. 2015):
• Low cost
• Possess a high affinity to the cells
• Not affect the cell functioning
• Photo transparent
• Hydrophilic
• Nontoxic.
• Possess high retention capacity during prolonged cultivation
• Resistant to disruption by cell growth
• Conductive for a sufficient mass transfer
• Possess mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability during operation
• Easy for application in the immobilization procedure
• Low affinity to contaminations
• Biodegradable or capable of recycling
• Safe for the environment
• Possess a large surface area for cell attachment
• Can be prepared in specific particle size and shape
7 Biotechnological Applications of Immobilized Microalgae
immobilization is more preferable for filamentous forms of microalgae (Trevan and
Mak 1988).
Apart from the immobilization techniques, the choice of carrier materials for
microalgae attachment is another crucial decision. Nowadays, there is a wide choice
of natural and synthetic materials for microalgae immobilization as it is a rapidly
developing area of biotechnology. The preeminence of natural carriers is biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and ease of recycling. Their disadvantages are high cost
and lower stability in wastewater as compared to synthetic carriers. As a rule, natural polymers are less resistant to biodegradation. However, the diffusivity in natural
materials is higher than in synthetic ones, and they are safe for the environment
(Leenen et al. 1996). Several natural polymers such as loofa, sphagnum, turf, glass,
wood, and natural polysaccharides (alginate, cellulose, carrageenan, chitosan) could
be used for passive immobilization techniques. Synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polysulfone, and
epoxy resin have been experimentally used for microalgae attachment (MorenoGarrido 2008). Anyway, the carrier material must be hydrophilic, not impeding the
mass transfer in the cultivation system or in wastewaters.
The ideal carrier for microalgae should meet the following criteria (Willaert
2017; Moreno-Garrido 2008; Hameed and Ebrahim 2007; Mallick 2002; Eroglu
et al. 2015):
• Low cost
• Possess a high affinity to the cells
• Not affect the cell functioning
• Photo transparent
• Hydrophilic
• Nontoxic.
• Possess high retention capacity during prolonged cultivation
• Resistant to disruption by cell growth
• Conductive for a sufficient mass transfer
• Possess mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability during operation
• Easy for application in the immobilization procedure
• Low affinity to contaminations
• Biodegradable or capable of recycling
• Safe for the environment
• Possess a large surface area for cell attachment
• Can be prepared in specific particle size and shape
7 Biotechnological Applications of Immobilized Microalgae