Microalgae, soil and plants: A critical review of microalgae as renewable resources for agriculture

Alvarez, Adriana L.; Weyers, Sharon L.; Goemann, Hannah M.; Peyton, Brent M.; Gardner, Robert D.

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2021.102200

Cited by 154 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 236 publications

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“…The growth-promoting effects of microalgal biomass are, in part, attributed to secondary metabolites such as plant hormones and polyamines that are synthesized by microalgae (Renuka et al 2018 ; Alvarez et al 2021 ). The mungbean rooting assay was selected for the present study to monitor the growth-promoting activity of the C. vulgaris suspensions over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current agricultural research is focused on ways to achieve sustainable food security amidst an ever-increasing global population and negative impacts of climate change, pollution, and deteriorating soil due to overuse of agrochemicals. New agricultural technologies need to combine ways of increasing agricultural productivity with reduced environmental impacts and promoting environmental regeneration (Garcia-Gonzalez and Sommerfeld 2016 ; Alvarez et al 2021 ). Natural, renewable plant biostimulants such as microalgae meet these criteria and are a promising avenue of research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microalgal biomass has useful agricultural properties such as improving soil fertility, promoting plant growth, and providing protection against pests and pathogens. This is due to traits such as microalgae containing plant-growth-promoting compounds (e.g., phytohormones, polysaccharides, amino acids, polyamines, and fatty acids), synthesizing secondary metabolites with bioactive properties (e.g., antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant compounds), producing stress tolerance metabolites, and the production of exopolysaccharides which improve soil aggregation and stability (reviewed in Renuka et al 2018 and in Alvarez et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microalgal-derived biostimulants elicit many beneficial effects on growth, metabolite content, and yield in a diverse range of cereal and vegetable crops (Renuka et al 2018 ; Alvarez et al 2021 ). Modes of application include cell suspension or extracts (lysates) of dried microalgal biomass or living cultures applied as soil inoculum or in hydroponic systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secondary metabolites are unstable and their degradation can be triggered by light, high temperature, and the presence of oxygen (Gouveia and Empis 2003 ). The “shelf-life” of microalgal biomass needs to be investigated as physical conditions during storage and transportation of the biomass may impact on its effectiveness as a plant biostimulant and biocontrol agent (Alvarez et al 2021 ). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of storage conditions on freeze-dried microalgal biomass to determine how long the biomass retains its growth promoting and bioactive properties (antimicrobial and antioxidant activity) under various temperature and light conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of storage on plant biostimulant and bioactive properties of freeze-dried Chlorella vulgaris biomass

et al. 2021

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Microalgae are potential plant biostimulants and biocontrol agents. A major hurdle towards their commercialization is the production of large volumes of biomass at the correct time of year. Secondary metabolites are unstable and the “shelf-life” of bioactive microalgal biomass needs to be investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of storage conditions on freeze-dried microalgae to determine how long the biomass retained its growth promoting and bioactive properties under various temperature and light conditions. Chlorella vulgaris biomass was stored in the dark at − 70 °C, 10 °C, and 25 °C and in the light at 25 °C. Samples were tested every 3–4 months for 15 months. Storage time significantly influenced the rate of change in the bioactivity in the C. vulgaris biomass with storage temperature also having some effect. Rooting activity decreased in the mungbean rooting assay over time up to 12 months and then increased slightly. Antimicrobial activity increased against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for up to 12 months and then declined. Antioxidant activity measured in the DPPH assay remained relatively stable for up to 12 months and then significantly decreased with longer storage. The change in bioactivity over time was attributed to the gradual breakdown of the rigid cell wall of C. vulgaris , thereby improving extraction efficiency but exposing the secondary metabolites to oxygen, thus quickening their degradation. Biomass produced for commercial purposes requires preliminary validation as the results of the present study showed that bioactive compounds are susceptible to degradation over time. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10811-021-02596-9.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%