The formation of CaCO3 in microalgal culture is investigated and applied for effective separation of microalgae. The presence of several cationic ions in the culture medium mediates the formation of 3 types of mineral precipitates depending on the concentration of mineral precursors, Ca2+ and CO3 2−, amorphous nano-flakes, rhombohedral calcites, and spherical vaterites. While amorphous phased precipitates are formed for all concentrations of mineral precursor, only calcites are formed for 30 mM solutions of mineral precursor, and mixtures of calcites and vaterites are formed for 50 and 100 mM solutions of mineral precursor. The harvesting efficiency is also dependent on the concentration of the mineral precursor: from 90 % for 10 mM to 99 % for 100 mM after 60 mins’ of gravitational sedimentation. The formation of nano-flakes on the surface of microalgal cells induces the flocculation of microalgae by breaking the stable dispersion. The negatively charged surface of the microalgal cell is compatible not only with nano-flake attachment but also with the growth of calcitic crystals in which microalgal cells are embedded.

본 연구는 규조류 Nitzschia sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Skeletonema sp.와 녹조류 Chlorella vulgaris의 성장에 미치는 발광다이오드(LED) 단일파장의 영향을 파악하였다. 4종의 미세조류는 청색 LED(450 nm), 황색 LED(590 nm), 적색 LED(650 nm) 그리고 형광램프(복수파장)에서 배양하였다. Nitzschia sp., P. tricornutum 그리고 Skeletonema sp.의 최대성장속도와 최대세포밀도는 청색 LED에서 가장 높았고 형광램프, 적색 LED, 황색 LED 순이지만, C. vulgaris는 적색 LED에서 가장 높았다. 이는 청색 LED는 다른 파장에 비해서 규조류의 성장을 촉진시키는 작용을 하는 것으로 보인다. 따라서 미세조류의 단일파장 하에서 성장속도는 종 특이성 또는 분류군 특이성을 보이는 것으로 생각된다. 또한 이러한 결과는 향후 LED와 미세조류를 활용한 중금속 오염 퇴적물의 복원을 위한 중요한 정보로 활용할 수 있을 것이다.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the growth promoting effects and improvement of antioxidant activity of the soybean sprouts treated with Chlorella sp. culture solution. The soybean sprout treated with 0.1% and 0.2% Chlorella sp. culture solution was significantly increased the length (more than 43.0%), the thickness (more than 0.5~0.7 mm), fresh weight (more than 2.9~3.7 g) compared to non-treated control in vitro. In organic soybean sprouts farm, the 0.2% chlorella culture solution applied to mass culture of soybean sprout and the fresh weight of soybean sprouts increased by more than 25% and the yield was very high as 598.33% compared to untreated control. In addition of sensory test, there is no fishy odor and better crunchy texture and nutty flavor for the treatment soybean sprouts compared to untreated soybean sprouts. Particularly, free-radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of the soybean sprouts were significantly increased more than 26.1% and 40.4%, respectively by treated with 0.1% and 0.2% Chlorella culture solution. Consequently, the treatment of chlorella culture solution to grow soybean sprouts is also promoting quality and antioxidant activity as well as promoting the growth of sprouts. Therefore, chlorella is considered to be worth as functional materials for high-quality sprouts grown.