NordAqua, a Nordic Center of Excellence to develop an algae‐based photosynthetic production platform

Abstract

NordAqua is a multidisciplinary Nordic Center of Excellence funded by NordForsk Bioeconomy program (2017)(2018)(2019)(2020)(2021)(2022). The research center promotes Blue Bioeconomy and endeavours to reform the use of natural resources in a environmentally sustainable way. In this short communication, we summarize particular outcomes of the consortium. The key research progress of NordAqua includes (1) improving of photosynthetisis, (2) developing novel photosynthetic cell factories that function in a "solar-driven direct CO 2 capture to target bioproducts" mode, (3) promoting the diversity of Nordic cyanobacteria and algae as an abundant and resilient alternative for less sustainable forest biomass and for innovative production of biochemicals, and (4) improving the bio-based wastewater purification and nutrient recycling technologies to provide new tools for integrative circular economy platforms.A rapid replacement of carbon-intensive infrastructures with net-zero carbon alternatives is vital for mitigation of the climate crisis. Current bioeconomy approaches have been focused mainly on the replacement of fossil raw materials for bio-based commodities. To this end, Nordic countries have largely invested in wood biomass which, for a number of reasons, cannot be considered sustainable or sufficiently available to effectuate a major change. The NordAqua research center has taken a different approach and focuses on aquatic photosynthetic

Blue economy in the North: Scandinavian algal biotechnology to the rescue

“…This special issue on ‘Blue economy in the North’ highlights some of the research studies, developments and innovations performed on algae in the Northern countries. It includes a collection of papers on ‘Cultivation and harvesting technology’, ‘Functionality of algae’ and ‘Possible commercial products and directed synthesis.’ The Nordic Center of Excellence ‘NordAqua’ (as described in Allahverdiyeva et al, 2021) is one of the many examples of a successful research consortium unlocking the value of algae and promoting the ‘blue bioeconomy.’ Research groups from Sweden, Norway and Finland combine in NordAqua their knowledge, hence providing tools for an integrative circular bioeconomy. Exploiting natural resources for cultivation, using algae for biobased wastewater purification and nutrient recycling, improving photosynthesis, developing living cell factories and using algae for the production of high‐value compounds like pharmaceuticals or food ingredients are examples of the research focus of the NordAqua consortium.

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Microalgae from Nordic collections demonstrate biostimulant effect by enhancing plant growth and photosynthetic performance

“…Microalgae can be a feasible resource for producing high‐value products if suitable strains, cultivation, and extraction methods are utilized (Carnovale et al, 2021; Kapoore et al, 2021). For industrial potential, advantageous microalgae should meet the minimum requirement of scalability (Allahverdiyeva et al, 2021; Barone et al, 2019). Therefore, species with robust biomass growth and suitable for intensive cultivation were selected for our experiments.…”

“…Plant biostimulants facilitate nutrient uptake, improve crop performance and tolerance to abiotic stress, and therefore can have a crucial role in reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers and plant protection products, and thus address agronomic sustainability challenges (Chiaiese et al, 2018). Though macroalgae have long been known for their beneficial influence on crop production, the interest in microalgae is on the rise due to recent technological development in microalgae cultivation, enabling nutrient‐looped circular economies, and refineries rendering biomass with standard composition (Allahverdiyeva et al, 2021; Lacroux et al, 2023).…”

Balancing photosynthesis, O2 consumption, and H2 recycling for sustained H2 photoproduction in pulse-illuminated algal cultures

“…[2][3][4] In comparison with inorganic photocatalysts for water oxidation, CO 2 reduction and H 2 generation, [5][6][7] the photobiological approach considers the natural and engineered photosynthetic organisms as whole-cell biocatalysts, which provide a fully renewable alternative to the traditional chemical synthesis and which are capable of self-repairing, operating in a wide range of the light spectrum, and utilizing cheap and abundant raw materials such as water, mineral nutrients, CO 2 and some organic substrates. [8][9][10] In green algae, H 2 photoproduction occurs in two steps with the involvement of the photosystem II (PSII) water oxidizing complex and the proton-reducing [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase (H 2 ase) enzyme associated with the photosynthetic electron-transport chain:…”

“…2–4 In comparison with inorganic photocatalysts for water oxidation, CO 2 reduction and H 2 generation, 5–7 the photobiological approach considers the natural and engineered photosynthetic organisms as whole-cell biocatalysts, which provide a fully renewable alternative to the traditional chemical synthesis and which are capable of self-repairing, operating in a wide range of the light spectrum, and utilizing cheap and abundant raw materials such as water, mineral nutrients, CO 2 and some organic substrates. 8–10…”