Targeting photobioreactors: Immobilisation of cyanobacteria within porous silica gel using biocompatible methods

This work demonstrates the feasibility of sol - gel entrapment in targeting novel photobioreactors. Photosynthetic cyanobacterial strains of the genus Synechococcus, PCC 6301, PCC 7002 and PCC 7418, were immobilised in mesoporous silica matrices via the acidification of aqueous colloidal silica precursors at ambient temperature. The conditions of immobilisation were studied. The gels were kept hydrated by the addition of media appropriate to the cyanobacteria strain isolated within the matrix and maintained under a light source. Scanning electronic microscopy, confocal microscopy and fluorometry studies revealed the preservation of photosynthetic pigments post-immobilisation. Structural and textural properties of the gels were established through Si-29 MASNMR and N-2 physisorption respectively.