Fast-growing phototrophic microorganisms and the productivity of phototrophic cultures

Fast-growing cyanobacterial and microalgal strains are considered to be a promising resource to overcome current productivity barriers of phototrophic cultivation. The purpose of this communication, however, is to argue that a high maximal growth rate itself is not a sufficient or necessary property for high phototrophic productivity. Rather, the light-limited specific growth rate of a phototrophic microorganism is a product of several factors, including the rate of light absorption, the photosynthetic efficiency, and the maximal biomass yield per mol photons. It is suggested that, in addition to the maximal growth rate, reports on fast-growing strains should also assess photosynthetic efficiency and maximal biomass yield as predictors of culture productivity. The arguments within the communication are underpinned by a theoretical analysis of a light-limited chemostat, compared to its heterotrophic counterpart. It is shown that for the light-limited chemostat maximal productivity occurs at low dilution rates.

Automated summary

It is argued in this communication that a high maximal growth rate is not necessarily sufficient or necessary for high phototrophic productivity. Rather, the specific growth rate of a phototrophic microorganism is determined by factors such as light absorption rate, photosynthetic efficiency, and biomass yield per mol photons. Therefore, besides maximal growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency and maximal biomass yield should also be considered as predictors of culture productivity when evaluating fast-growing strains.