Investigating the role of extracellular polymeric substances produced by Parachlorella kessleri in Zn(II) bioremediation using atomic force microscopy.

Microalgae, such as Parachlorella kessleri, have significant potential for environmental remediation, especially in removing heavy metals like zinc from water. This study investigates how P. kessleri, isolated from a polluted river in Argentina, can remediate zinc. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the research examined the interactions between Zn particles and cells grown with different nitrogen sources-nitrate or ammonium. The results showed that cells grown with nitrate produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), while those grown with ammonium did not. Raman spectroscopy revealed distinct metabolic responses based on the nitrogen source, with nitrate-grown cells showing altered profiles after zinc exposure. Zinc exposure also changed the surface roughness and nanomechanical properties of the cells, particularly in those producing EPS. AFM force spectroscopy experiments then confirmed strong Zn binding to EPS in nitrate-grown cells, while interactions were weaker in ammonium-grown cells that lacked EPS. Overall, our results elucidate the critical role of EPS in Zn removal by P. kessleri cells and show that Zn remediation is mediated by EPS adsorption. This study underscores the significance of regulating nitrogen sources to stimulate EPS production, offering insights that are essential for subsequent bioremediation applications.

Development and Application of an Automated Raman Sensor for Bioprocess Monitoring: From the Laboratory to an Algae Production Platform.

Microalgae provide valuable bio-components with economic and environmental benefits. The monitoring of microalgal production is mostly performed using different sensors and analytical methods that, although very powerful, are limited to qualified users. This study proposes an automated Raman spectroscopy-based sensor for the online monitoring of microalgal production. For this purpose, an in situ system with a sampling station was made of a light-tight optical chamber connected to a Raman probe. Microalgal cultures were routed to this chamber by pipes connected to pumps and valves controlled and programmed by a computer. The developed approach was evaluated on Parachlorella kessleri under different culture conditions at a laboratory and an industrial algal platform. As a result, more than 4000 Raman spectra were generated and analysed by statistical methods. These spectra reflected the physiological state of the cells and demonstrate the ability of the developed sensor to monitor the physiology of microalgal cells and their intracellular molecules of interest in a complex production environment.