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The rising demand to settle a sustainable energy source is guiding researchers in the production of biofuels. The liquefaction process is an alternative to obtaining biocrude from different types of renewable biomass and can mitigate environmental impacts. All papers published since 2000, which are related to the hydrothermal liquefaction process that aims to obtain biocrude are analyzed in the present study using the bibliometric approach to provide the selected database. Furthermore, the use of algae biomass in the liquefaction was also a discussed topic considering its high relevance in the process. The focus of the present study was to evaluate the evolution of the current state of the art in these topics and also to indicate trends and courses that it might be taken in the future. The database used in the bibliometric analysis was taken from the Web of Science (WoS) and the papers were selected by two different search equations. With the selected data, the use of BibExcel, VOSviewer, and PowerBi software was useful to guide the discussion and to create graphics and visual networks. As shown in the results, it was noticeable the influence of China and the USA on the field, considering the high number of publications from these countries. Moreover, the main authors were indicated considering their citation numbers, publications, and local h-index factor. Based on the author's keywords, the most significant and recent topics on liquefaction were listed. Among them, technical-economic analysis, nutrient, and energy recovery, response surface methodology, and kinetic model are highlighted. This may indicate a new direction being taken by researchers besides the operational parameters' studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the algae are eukaryotic organisms commonly found in the aquatic environment. They are characterized by a great variety of species and the possibility of growing in various conditions. They photosynthesize and mainly need light, water and carbon dioxide to grow. Algae can be used in various branches of the economy for the production of food, animal feed, bio-fertilizers, pigments, they can be used for sewage treatment or carbon dioxide sequestration. The aim of the work is to investigate the effect of the material from which the walls of containers are made on bioreactors for algae cultivation. Two wall materials were used in the research: shiny aluminium foil and matte black light-absorbing paper. The content of photosynthetic pigments in algae cells, optical density, temperature and pH were examined. The tests were performed in triplicate and the standard error was calculated with the 95% confidence interval. It was observed that the glossy aluminium foil wall significantly improved the growth of Chlorella vulgaris algae at the lowest light intensities by more than 4 times chlorophyll a compared to the sample placed in a container with walls of matt black paper. This means that the use of walls in shiny aluminium foil containers can reduce lighting costs and contribute to an increase in the produced biomass.

Introduction and aim. Prototheca is the only alga regarded as pathogenic. Much less frequently, infections can be also caused by Chlorella, which is a widely-known dietary supplement. Unlike Prothoteca algae, Chlorella contains chlorophyll and can be used in the production of biofuel as well as electric and thermal energy. The purpose of this review is to analyze cases of chlorella infection. Material and methods. The literature review was performed by analyzing research and review articles from the Pubmed and ScienceDirect databases published over the last 50 years. Analysis of literature. The first case of infection caused by Chlorella was reported in a lamb in 1973 and from then on infections in other species of mammals (mostly herbivorous), reptiles and fish have been observed. So far, two cases of chlorellosis in humans have been con- firmed, the last one in 2014 in Australia. Both infections were a result of a mechanical trauma in freshwater. In 2014 the patient developed aggressive Chlorella infection with necrosis of adipose tissue through bursa and into the paratenon of patellar tendon where it was necessary to perform debridement and bursectomy. It seems that in both cases negative pressure wound therapy brought about successful results. Conclusion. The studies on algae will open up perspectives for better prevention and treatment of infections caused by non-typical organisms such as Chlorella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative approaches in nanotechnology provide a potentially promising alternative to untreatable cases of mastitis caused by genus Prototheca spp. algae infections. Drying of the teats of the affected animals or culling are typically the outcomes of mastitis in dairy cattle caused by these pathogens. A major issue in both veterinary medicine and animal breeding is the Prototheca species' widespread resistance to the current methods of managing infections and the available drugs, including antibiotics. Commercial antifungal preparations are also ineffective. Nanotechnology, an emerging discipline, has the potential to create an effective alternative treatment for protothecal mastitis. The aim of the paper is to combine the literature data on the use of nanotechnology in the control of mastitis, taking into account data on combating mastitis caused by Prototheca spp. infections. The databases employed were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, focusing on literature from the last 20 years to ensure relevance and currency. Studies conducted in vitro have demonstrated that nanomaterials have significant biocidal activity against mastitis infections of different etiologies. Analyzed research papers show that (NPs), such as AgNPs, CuNPs, AuNPs, etc., may not negatively impact various cell lines and may be effective agents in reducing the pathogens' viability. However, it is also critical to assess the risks involved in using nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and climate change are major concerns across multiple disciplines. Population growth, urbanization, and industrialization are significant contributing factors to such problems due to the escalating use of fossil fuels required to meet growing energy demands. The building sector uses the largest share of total global energy production and produces tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Emerging eco-friendly technologies, such as solar and wind energy harvesting, are being extensively explored; however, they are insufficient. Nature-inspired technologies could offer solutions to our problems. For instance, algae are microorganisms that use water, light, and CO2 to produce energy and sustain life, and the exploitation of these characteristics in a built environment is termed algae building technology, which is a very efficient and green application suitable for a sustainable future. Algae-integrated façades show great versatility through biomass and energy production, wastewater treatment, shading, and thermal and acoustic insulation. In this paper, algae will be introduced as a robust tool toward a greener and more sustainable future. Algae building technology and its implementation will be demonstrated. Furthermore, steps for applying this sustainable strategy in Egypt will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we incorporate stoichiometry into a competition model in chemostat culture. We first discuss the dynamics of this stoichiometric chemostat model for single algae species. We obtain the uniform persistence and find that an increase of phosphorus input or a slow dilution rate facilitates the algal persistence. Then, we consider a stoichiometric chemostat model in which two species competing for single nutrient, investigate how stoichiometry, dilution rate and concentration of phosphorus input affect the result of competition between algae species. Competitive exclusion and coexistence of two competing algae species are explored by discussing the existence, local stability of all feasible equilibria. Previous studies suggested that competitive exclusion holds in general chemostat models with two species competing for one limiting nutrient. Our theoretical and numerical results demonstrate that stoichiometry brings the coexistence of two competing algae species. Moreover, under low phosphorus input or fast dilution rate, competitive exclusion still holds. High phosphorus input or slow dilution rate facilitates the coexistence of multiple species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has seen increased research and implementation in recent decades in numerous applications. Based on the information in the papers, we built a database that included algae species used, biomass pre-processing, main precursors, solvents, production approaches, final size, and possible uses. An analysis of this data revealed a great diversity of algae species investigated for this purpose (68 species of algae and 45 families). The analysis of the strategy plot shows that there are four clusters of themes that are different from each other. Still, some patterns are recognizable, e.g., the general cluster with general methodologies and concepts is in the intersection zone. The second cluster is related to the use of macroalgae, which has had a strong development in the past, but now seems to be less attractive, and the third cluster is on the use of nanoparticles to control bacteria, which seems to be a topic that, although not currently driving the field, could become a major driver if current trends continue. New technological developments should be expected in the near future as NPs synthesis from green renewable sources such as algae poses an alternative to the traditional means in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method based on the photosynthetic inhibition effect of algae offers the advantages of swift response and straightforward measurement. Nonetheless, this effect is influenced by both the environment and the state of the algae themselves. Additionally, a single parameter is vulnerable to uncertainties, rendering the measurement accuracy and stability inadequate. This paper employed currently utilized photosynthetic fluorescence parameters, including Fv/Fm(maximum photochemical quantum yield), Performance Indicator (PIabs), Comprehensive Parameter Index (CPI) and Performance Index of Comprehensive Toxicity Effect (PIcte), as quantitative toxicity characteristic parameters. The paper compared the univariate curve fitting results with the multivariate data-driven model results and investigated the effectiveness of Back Propagation(BP) Neural Network and Support Vector Machine for Regression (SVR) models to enhance the accuracy and stability of toxicity detection. Using Dichlorophenyl Dimethylurea (DCMU) samples as an example, the mean Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE) corresponding to the optimal parameter PIcte for the dose-effect curve fitting was 1.246 in the concentration range of 1.25–200 µg/L. On the other hand, the mean RRMSEs corresponding to the results of the BP neural network and SVR models were 0.506 and 0.474, respectively. Notably, BP neural network exhibited excellent prediction accuracy in the medium-high concentration range of 7.5–200 µg/L, with a mean RRSME of only 0.056. Regarding the stability of the results, the mean Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of the univariate dose-effect curve results was 15.1% within the concentration range of 50–200 µg/L. In contrast, the mean RSDs for both BP neural network and SVR results were less than 5%. In the concentration range of 1.25–200 µg/L, the mean RSDs were 6.1% and 16.5%, with the BP neural network performing well. The experimental results of Atrazine were analyzed to further validate the effectiveness of the BP neural network in improving the accuracy and stability of results. These findings provided valuable insights for the development of biotoxicity detection by using the algae photosynthetic inhibition method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living organisms have been progressively used by designers to propose alternative design outcomes aiming towards more ecological aspects. The design development and manufacturing of new materials or design components from living organisms are more achievable in textile, fashion, or product design than in architecture and construction due to the scale, multi-layer constraints, and requirements. The aim of this paper is to investigate the interdisciplinary framework, the opportunities, and limitations of introducing living organisms into the design process, including the implementation from the design ideas to prototyping until commercialization. In this paper, we focus on three types of living organisms: algae, bacteria, and fungi. Firstly, we overviewed and studied existing projects and experimentations to understand the design process and fabrication of living organisms in other domains in comparison to architecture. Secondly, we selected three case studies in architecture for each organism to analyze. We collected the data and conducted interviews with multidisciplinary experts involved in each case. Our findings show a better understanding of the potential to integrate living organisms in architectural design, the advantages, and the difficulties towards ecological awareness. The results from the interview and a comparative analysis show the advantages and constraints of each case. The future outlooks towards the use of living organisms as part of design in architecture are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study set out to provide a preliminary assessment of nutritional profiles of five selected New Zealand macroalgae to investigate the potential of landcultivated Ulva spp. The New Zealand seaweeds species, selected from a limited range, were either collected from the wild (Pyropia plicata from Tauranga and Kaikōura), or were sourced from commercial wild harvest suppliers (Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida), and were compared to land-based cultivated Ulva species (Ulva ralfsii and Ulva stenophylloides). Species were assessed for their content of crude protein, total lipids, carbohydrates, fibers, amino acids, mineral profiles, heavy metals and antioxidant capacity (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, ORAC). The two cultivated Ulva spp. had the highest crude protein content of the six seaweeds analyzed (approximately 21% dw, N×6.25), as expected with nutrient supplemented cultivation. They also had the highest total, essential and branched chain amino acid quantities (151, 70, and 29 mg/g for U. stenophylloides and 138, 62, and 27 mg/g for U. ralfsii). Though the two Ulva spp. were grown to the same cultivation specifications, they varied in carbohydrate and total fiber content (U. stenophylloides: 63% and 62%; U. ralfsii: 39% and 40%, respectively). Pyropia plicata collected in Kaikōura had the highest carbohydrate levels (65%) though not the highest total fiber. Both P. plicata had the highest trace minerals (417 mg/kg and 720 mg/kg for Kaikōura and Tauranga P. plicata respectively). All seaweeds analyzed showed no lipophilic antioxidants, though the two Phaeophyceae had the highest hydrophilic antioxidant content at 115 TE and 168 TE for Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida, respectively. This paper provides a preliminary indication of the relative nutritional attributes of a range of potential New Zealand seaweed aquaculture targets benchmarked against sealettuce (Ulva spp.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition and use of algae in the very trend-driven cosmetic industry is progressively increasing. Up to now, the main focus was on large seaweeds and a limited number of microalgae. However, motile microalgae, flagellates, remain underscored in this aspect, although some of them are utilized commercially. Flagellates from different taxonomic groups occupy various habitats and contain bioactive high-value multifunctional compounds, some of which are novel. Moreover, they may simultaneously produce different substances, which together with the development of downstream processing technologies, makes them a promising source for modern biotechnology. The present review covers data on 411 strains, 251 species from 110 genera from 6 phyla, and is oriented generally towards less explored flagellates. It demonstrates their great potential as bearers of interesting novel compounds that can be beneficially applied in modern cosmetics. Safety aspects of both sources and products are also discussed. Considering the gaps in the knowledge, the necessity to expand the research on both well-known and yet unexplored microalgae is shown, encouraging the development of upstreaming processes, including phycoprospecting. Last but not least, this paper outlines the role of living culture collections and of using good taxonomic expertise before running the biochemical tests, cultivation, and bioengineering experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Triassic carbonate deposits are widely distributed in North Dobrogea (SE Romania) mainly within the Tulcea Nappe. Within this structural unit, the carbonate facies reveals an eastward-westward transition from shallow-water to basin facies. The shallow-water limestones were studied in three areas (Murighiol-Dealul Duna, Dunavăţu de Sus and Enisala) in order to identify and describe the algal fl ora. In this paper we describe the assemblage of dasycladalean green algae. Thirteen species were identifi ed, out of which nine are also known from other parts of the Alpine-Carpathian or Dinaric areas (Macroporella alpina, Poncetella hexaster, Neophysoporella lotharingica, Ardeiporella cf. karrerioidea, Poikiloporella duplicata, Probolocuspis cf. hydrae, Salpingoporella sturi, S. cf. triasica and Clypeina besici). Three species are new (Pseudodiplopora ioanaletitiae n. sp., Julpiaella baltresi n. sp. and Acicularia claudiopolitana n. sp.) and one species (Ioanella dobrogiaca) was already the subject of a previous work. This is the richest assemblage of calcareous dasycladalean algae described so far from the Triassic of Dobrogea. In addition, the Clypeina besici-Poikiloporella duplicata association is also important for age constraints because it is characteristic for the Carnian stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic nature of ecological systems is fundamental to their modeling and understanding. In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive algae-zooplankton model that incorporates general interaction rate and second-order independent stochastic components. Our model’s perturbation component encompasses both white noise and jump processes, enabling us to account for various sources of variability and capture a wide range of potential fluctuations in the system. By utilizing an auxiliary equation, we establish a global threshold for the stochastic system, distinguishing between scenarios of extinction and ergodicity. This threshold serves as a critical determinant of the system’s long-term behavior and sheds light on the delicate balance between population persistence and decline in ecological communities. To elucidate the impact of noise on the dynamics of algae and zooplankton, we present a series of numerical illustrations. Through these simulations, we highlight how noise influences not only the extinction time but also the shape of the stationary distribution. Our findings underscore the significant role of stochasticity in shaping ecological dynamics and emphasize the importance of considering noise effects in ecological modeling and management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the monitoring the discharge of ballast water, the count of living algal cells is of utmost significant. Variable fluorescence, denoted as Fv, stands as an optimal parameter for photosynthetic fluorescence, efficiently charactering the living algal cells count, unaffected by the ballast waters' complex background fluorescence environment. This study deeply investigates the quantitative relationship between Fv and the count of living algal cells. Observations indicate that single cell fluorescence yield (abbreviated as SCF) varies significantly across different algae species, leading to considerable errors in quantifying living algal cell count in ballast water with unknown components using the calibration relationship between Fv and the cell count. Thus, correcting SCF prior to calibration becomes necessary. The paper proposes an innovative SCF correction method based on cell cross-sectional area and an eμ factor (where μ is the expected value of the functional absorption cross-section of PSII) This method mitigates the influence of cell size and species differences on quantifying the living algal cell count. Correction operation trials revealed that dividing the SCF measurement by cell cross-sectional area and multiplying by eμ enhanced the correction effect. Comparative experiments demonstrated marked improvement: Relative errors (REs) for Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlorella marine, both belonging to the Chlorophyta group, fell from 92.1% and 90.6% to 37.2% and 9.5% respectively post-correction. Similarly, REs for Thalassiosira weissflogii and Nitzschia closterium minutissima, from the Bacillariophyta group, decreased from 74.7% and 68.1% to 14.3% and 19.1% respectively. The RE of Peridinium from the Pyrrophyta group dropped from 28.4% to 12.1%. The results underscore the effectiveness of cell cross-sectional area and eμ in correcting SCF, thus offering a novel correction method for swift and precise measurement of living algal cell count in ballast water, based on variable fluorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present two significant records of mosses in Slovenia: Bryum canariense and Fissidens fontanus, and the first record of an animal species, Porcellio obsoletus, from the Slovene Coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides an overview of all freshwater red algae species recorded to date in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based on fieldwork and analysis of all available previously published data, it was determined that a total of 15 taxa from eight genera have been recorded to date: Bangia (1), Audoinella (3), Batrachospermum (2), Peludicola (1), Shaethia (1), Lemanea (4), Paralemanea (2) and Hildenbrandia (1). All taxa were found in clear, cold, well-oxygenated water. Bosnia and Herzegovina is very rich in different types of aquatic habitats. More than 100 sites were visited during the field research, but there are still many potential habitats where freshwater red algae can be found, which will be explored in the coming years. This work is the first step toward establishing long-term monitoring and listing of protected and threatened red algae in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary supplements are used for potential health benefits and are mainly intended to provide those nutrients that may be insufficiently consumed through regular dietary intake. They are mostly made from natural sources and are readily available in the form of capsules, tablets, or liquid form. Nowadays, omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) supplements are in high demand and have gained noteworthy popularity as the human body cannot produce them, and need to be administrated externally. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) characterized by at least one cis double bond at the third and fourth omega-end carbons, with primary examples being α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and are classified as functional foods. The natural sources of these supplements include aquatic organisms like freshwater and marine fish, microalgae, seaweeds; nuts and seeds plant oils, and fortified foods. n-3 FAs, being biologically active molecules, are highly susceptible to oxidation due to double bonds in their long chains, leading to degradation over time, during storage. Various encapsulation systems, such as gels, emulsions, and powders, have been developed to effectively encapsulate PUFAs to enhance their chemical stability, dispersibility, and bioavailability. These quality control measures are essential to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of products containing n-3 FAs. This paper explores various sources of omega-3 fatty acid supplements and summarizes the multiple manufacturing techniques used for the production of these products. Additionally, the article tried to correlate quality aspects with the regulations for such products in an attempt to prevent exposure of consumers to harmful ingredients contained within these products. Lastly, potential recommendations for harmonizing the regulation and control of omega-3 supplements are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue foods, including seaweed, have been overlooked in food systems analysis and policy-making due to a lack of available data. However, seaweed cultivation is gaining attention as a restorative aquaculture that could contribute to ocean health by serving as blue carbon or nurturing seagrass beds. Commercial restorative aquaculture may provide market-based solutions for improving ocean health. The Onna Village Fisheries Cooperative producers have been restoring corals, knowing empirically that when the coral weakens, the yield of Mozuku seaweed drops. Furthermore, measures taken to reduce red soil run-off prevent the reduction in Mozuku quality and quantity and protect seagrass beds, since Mozuku cultivators have continued to use them as an important nursery. The fishery cooperative and the seaweed processing company, Igeta Takeuchi Co., Ltd., have jointly developed high-quality Mozuku that is resistant to climate change and extreme weather conditions through strain selection. Based on this case, this paper examines the following questions: (1) What quality assurance technique is necessary to continue restorative aquaculture as a market-based solution over the long term? (2) What social platforms and communication channels are available to stakeholders to maintain restorative aquaculture in the long run? To answer these questions, Japanese consumer cooperatives that established "the Mozuku Fund" are also examined. This case study of Mozuku highlights how the sustainability and quality of marine products are maintained throughout the whole supply chain, focusing on the power of the Japanese consumers' cooperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioprinting using algae cells has many potential applications including tissue engineering, environmental engineering, contaminant removal from water, and establishing space habitats. In extrusion-based bioprinting, bioink needs to be crosslinked after being extruded from the nozzle for printed constructs to first achieve and then maintain adequate shape fidelity. Crosslinking methods used in reported studies on algae-contained bioinks include both photo-crosslinking and ionic crosslinking. This paper reports a preliminary study where the coaxial nozzle-based in situ ionic crosslinking method was used in bioprinting of algae cells without additional crosslinking of printed samples for the first time. In comparison with photo-crosslinking, in situ ionic crosslinking can minimize bioink preparation time and complexity, eliminate cells' exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and reduce the number of post-printing steps. In this preliminary study, the bioink was an alginate solution containing algae (Chlorella vulgaris) cells, and the crosslinking solution was a calcium chloride solution. The coaxial nozzle had two nozzles: inner and outer nozzles. In printing, the bioink was delivered through the outer nozzle while the crosslinking solution was delivered through the inner nozzle. The shape of the printed samples was a square block with dimensions of 30 × 30 × 10 mm. It was observed that, 9 days after printing, the algae cells grew within the printed samples, and the samples could keep their shapes relatively well. Many knowledge gaps exist regarding the effects of input variables in bioprinting of algae cells using this method. This paper discusses future research directions to fill these knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building an optical filtration function into a microfluidic chip is a promising way of simplifying the optical detection system of a microfluidic device. In this paper, a PDMS microfluidic chip filter that is capable of transmitting chlorophyll fluorescence and blocking interfering light in the visible wavelength range was developed for living algae detection with a smartphone. The chip was fabricated by sealing a layer of crystal violet solution in a PDMS layer on the top of the Sudan II-doped PDMS slab, which has a straight microchannel. Optimum dye concentrations and thicknesses for the crystal violet solution layer and Sudan II-doped PDMS slab were investigated and determined by spectrum measurements. It was found that the cut-on range of this integrated microfluidic chip is extended to about 625 nm and the transmittance in the chlorophyll fluorescence range (650 nm to 710 nm) is as high as 95%, when 25 mg L−1 Sudan II-doped PDMS slab (with a 3 mm thickness) and 2 mg L−1 crystal violet solution (with a 0.3 mm thickness) were used. Living algae detection using this chlorophyll-fluorescence-filtering PDMS microfluidic chip and a smartphone-based imaging platform was achieved, and the results compared favorably with those using a commercial filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a profound threat to human health across the world. A growing body of evidence suggests that dietary choice can support pandemic response efforts. This paper asks whether spirulina, a type of edible microalgae, may offer a means of reducing COVID-19 risk. This question follows from spirulina's observed antiviral effects vis-à-vis other viral diseases. Questions about possible complementary therapies remain important due to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, given major gaps to vaccine rollout and the proliferation of mutant variants. The paper is based on a narrative review of the academic literature relevant to this question. The 25 papers identified were grouped and summarised, then discussed. The evidence reported suggests spirulina may have prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 via several pathways, though further investigation is needed to verify the linkages identified. Incorporating spirulina into diet might thus offer a way to lower COVID-19 risk. This option may moreover be particularly helpful for at-risk populations, such as those in the Global South where many remain unvaccinated and food insecurity is widespread. This review reports findings in non-technical language and could inform actions by diverse stakeholders, including researchers, governments and households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper systematically presents a survey of the literature on algal biofuel by a bibliometric assessment. Based on 10,201 articles extracted from the Science Citation Index Expanded database during 1980-2019, a knowledge-generating system about algal biofuel has been established through analysis of publication performance, social networks, citations analysis and keywords analysis. Annual publication output in algal biofuel research has rapidly increased, particularly over the past decade. "Bioresource Technology" is the most outstanding journal when all analysis indices have been taken into account. The USA ranks 1st with 2,151 publications and has a high supremacy in international research collaborations. Through the analysis of keywords, the research trends of algae biofuel in algae selection, cultivation, harvesting, extraction, conversion and bioproducts are reviewed. The future of algal biofuel is quite promising, however, for its commercial production, several technical challenges like large-scale algal biomass production, cheap harvesting technology, etc. have to be met a-priori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of pyrolysis feedstock, algae has shown great potential in generating valuable products such as pyrolytic oil, gas and semi-coke. Thermal transformation of algae and other carbon-based materials via co-pyrolysis could generate fuels or value-added products. This paper aims to summarize the present researches about the co-pyrolysis characteristics of algae biomass with different low quality carbon-based materials. Our discussion mainly focuses on the research status of experimental analysis and theoretical calculations. State-of-the-art technologies and methods for the co-pyrolysis such as dry distillation system of fixed bed reactor, fluidized bed reactor, and micro-scale experimental analysis of TGA, FTIR, MS and Py-GCMS are reviewed in detail. The reaction mechanism which should be obtained through theoretical calculation is critically reviewed in this paper. Based on the quantum chemistry calculation results of the previous researches, the key developments about the co-pyrolysis chemistry of algae were summarized by focusing on molecular structure of the reactant and corresponding reaction pathways. It cannot be denied that there are also great gaps between quantum chemistry modeling and the actual co-pyrolysis process, indicating a pressing need for more complex quantitative calculation models and algorithms. Overall, the recent progress of crude bio-oil production, the excellent characteristic and future prospect of co-pyrolysis were discussed and concluded in this paper, which sheds light on further investigation of algae comprehensive utilization. The structure diagram of the article [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the potential of marine algae to act as sensitizers is systematically studied and presented. We aim to find a feasible financial strategy to enhance the global efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Algae are mainly composed of chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids, and Betalains, which are essential pigments that confer unique characteristics that are required in natural sensitizers. Therefore, this review aims to unveil and understand the underlying mechanism between algae pigments and photoelectrodes and to conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine the effect of algae dye on light absorption efficiency and electron transport. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical impedance properties are deeply analyzed, and we show the current opportunities for natural dyes to be used in energy technologies through DSSC. A comparison of several bibliographic sources dealing with DSSC based on algae provided a general overview of the improvements in factors such as the recombination times, the filling factor, and the Voc values. The contributions of this paper relate to the conversion efficiency and future applications in the DSSC field. Finally, this review exemplifies that the nature of the pigment affects the photophysical properties of the cell. Thus, this paper may contribute to future investigations of DSSC when choosing efficient natural dyes according to their optical and electronic properties. Therefore, this work provides the knowledge required to efficiently merge materials and dyes, in which photovoltaic energy systems' reproducibility and scalability still represent a challenge. Lastly, this document discusses the natural pigments' stability and the approaches to improve their chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of energy, food, water, and other utensils by fossil fuels generates pollution that causes constant climate change. To minimize and avoid this phenomenon, opting for less polluting energy production sources is increasingly necessary. Green hydrogen (H 2), a renewable and clean fuel, is analyzed in bibliometric terms in the present work, emphasizing photosynthetic H 2. The data were obtained through the journal database list in Web of Science, in which a total of 1507 was published between January 2010 to September 2022, dealing with the production of photosynthetic green hydrogen. The country with the most significant publication is China, with respectively 24.50% of the publications, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has 60 co-authored papers, the largest in co-authorship—most papers published in the international journal of hydrogen energy, with 19.49% of the publications. The raw materials identified as emerging are cyanobacteria and microalgae, Rhodobacter capsulatus , synechocystis sp pcc6803 and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii pointed out as the microalgae of most significant interest. However, it is necessary to improve them, given the decrease in inactivity provided by the Calvin-Benson cycle. Life cycle assessment studies are needed, as well as H 2 storage. There is a need to reduce the levelized cost of H 2 production, which is around 9.65–25.22 USD/gallon. Studies also point to using cyanobacteria and microalgae to produce other biofuels (bioethanol biodiesel) and materials (supercapacitors, batteries, and polymers). [Display omitted] • Evaluation of the photosynthetic production of green hydrogen. • Analysis of 1507 papers from the Web of Science with CiteSpace, Vosviwer and Exell. • Advanced bibliometric analysis of future trends in the production of green hydrogen. • Using photosynthetic methods to produce biofuels. • Polymer production uses carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present four significant records of plants in Slovenia: a vascular plant Calepina irregularis, and three moss species, Ptychostomum torquescens, Sphagnum papillosum; Tortella fasciculata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing taxonomic studies of Australian marine algae have led to the recognition of a new species of the green algal genus Rhipilia , here named R. psammophila Huisman & Verbruggen. The new species is unusual for this typically tropical genus in growing in the colder temperate waters of southern Australia and can be distinguished from its congeners by the morphology of its laterally adhering siphons, in addition to unique molecular sequences (rbc L and tuf A). In molecular analysis, the new species is sister to the southern Australian Chlorodesmis baculifera , which is here transferred to Rhipilia and represents the third species in the genus with laterally unattached, free siphons, a feature that previously would have excluded it from the genus. Lateral gametangia are described for R. psammophila and represent the first record of reproduction in Rhipilia. A species of green algae, Rhipilia psammophila, growing in south-western Australia. Taxonomic studies of Australian seaweeds are showing a wealth of undiscovered species. In this paper, a new species of green seaweed, Rhipilia psammophila , is described for specimens from south-western Australia, and a closely related species currently known as Chlorodesmis baculifera is transferred to Rhipilia. Morphological features are proving unreliable in distinguishing genera in this group and molecular analyses are essential. (Photograph by John Huisman.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of algae are becoming more popular day by day. From biofuels to nutrients, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and most recently ink and textile dyes. Due to algae’s high lipid content that works best as a substitute for petroleum-based products, and because it is carbon negative and eco-friendly, algae-based dyes can present a transitional solution to the environmental damages caused by the dyeing phases in the textile industry. Researchers have investigated the types, methods, applications, and efficiency of various algae species and types of dyes to serve in various coloring and printing applications. In this paper, we present the possibility of using microalgae as a natural dye for the textile industry. The microalgae studied were mixed species dominated by Chlorella Vulgaris. Pigments were extracted by acetone to create the natural dye which was used on a 100% cotton fabric using basic dying methods. A light-fastness test was subsequently performed, and the results indicated that the algae-colored fabric gained a value similar to those usually obtained with natural dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweeds are widely assumed to be phenotypically plastic across hydrodynamic gradients, yet while many marine macroalgae exhibit intraspecific phenotypic variation that correlates with flow, researchers often fail to test whether such variation is due to plasticity or another mechanism, such as local adaptation. In this minireview, we considered mechanisms for sensing flow in seaweeds that could facilitate adaptive phenotypic plasticity across hydrodynamic gradients. We then reviewed the literature from 1900 to 2024 to see how often phenotypic variation and plasticity across hydrodynamic gradients had been observed and demonstrated in different groups of seaweeds. In the last 124 years, phenotypic variation and plasticity in response to flow have been well documented in brown algae but scarcely documented in red and green algae. This could suggest that brown algae are better able to sense and respond to flow than red and green algae, perhaps due to the intercalary meristem of many brown algae, including most kelps. However, this skewed distribution could also be the result of publication bias, as most studies involving flow have been conducted on brown algae. Only 30% of 141 papers specifically investigated if observations of phenotypic variation along hydrodynamic gradients were due to plasticity. To date, phenotypic plasticity in response to flow has been demonstrated in 20 brown algal species, five red algal species, and two green algal species. Thus, the assumption that phenotypic plasticity to flow is common across seaweeds is not particularly well supported by the literature. Mechanisms underlying plasticity to flow are poorly understood and remain a critical avenue for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When real-world engineering challenges are examined adequately, it becomes clear that multi-objective need to be optimized. Many engineering problems have been handled utilizing the decomposition-based optimization approach according to the literature. The performance of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms is highly dependent on the balance of convergence and diversity. Diversity and convergence are not appropriately balanced in the decomposition technique, as they are in many approaches, for real-world problems. A novel Multi-Objective Artificial Algae Algorithm based on Decomposition (MOAAA/D) is proposed in the paper to solve multi-objective structural problems. MOAAA/D is the first multi-objective algorithm that uses the decomposition-based method with the artificial algae algorithm. MOAAA/D, which successfully draws a graph on 24 benchmark functions within the area of two common metrics, also produced promising results in the structural design problem to which it was applied. To facilitate the design of the "rectangular reinforced concrete column" using MOAAA/D, a solution space was derived by optimizing the rebar ratio and the concrete quantity to be employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biological monitoring (biomonitoring) to assess water quality is recognised alongside the use of chemical and physicochemical parameters due to its ability and efficiency in providing information about both current and long-term changes. Indeed, biomonitoring is applied in several developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, some developing countries, such as Rwanda, are yet to adopt such a monitoring system. This paper presents results of an assessment of the knowledge and perceptions by water resource managers about the use of biomonitoring and bioindicators, and challenges to their integration into existing routine water quality monitoring systems in Rwanda. Qualitative research, using semistructured interviews, was conducted with nine water resource practitioners from six water governance institutions between August and November 2021. The results show that participants are aware that macroinvertebrates, algae and fish are bioindicators that have potential applications in Rwanda to complement the chemical and physicochemical parameters already being collected in the country’s water monitoring system. The main challenges for integration of biological indicators, as indicated by participants, include the need for equipment, funding, technical skills and taxonomic knowledge. Training in the use of bioindicators and taxonomy are needed to raise the awareness and skills of staff from the institutions involved in freshwater ecosystem management in Rwanda, and to encourage integration of biomonitoring results into national water monitoring frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, the study of cyanobacteria and microalgae has been hampered by the need to cultivate these organisms to gain insight into their cytomorphology, life cycle and molecular biology. However, various microbial species characterized by thick sheaths of exopolymeric substances were difficult to isolate in culture due to their associated symbiotic bacteria. Other microbes evaded culture. Such challenges have now been overcome by the development of metagenomic techniques that allow direct DNA sequencing from environmental samples, as well as high resolution microscopy techniques that permit direct imaging of environmental samples. The sampling of understudied taxa from extreme environments and of toxic species has been facilitated by specialized robotic equipment. Single-cell sequencing has allowed for the proper characterization of microalgal species and their response to environmental changes. Various strains of cyanobacteria, microalgae and macroalgae have gained renewed interest for their high-value metabolites. This paper provides an overview of the emerging technologies and explains how they are being used to identify such strains and their products for industrial application. Advances in genetic engineering and CRISPR technology have facilitated the production of strains that are more amenable to culture, metabolite extraction, scale-up and application in biorefinery approaches. Emerging analytical techniques are discussed, with the advent of multiomics and its application in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One fifth of the world's population and critical infrastructures are close to the coast and regions of high-risk sea level rise elevation. The last decades have been characterized by increasing extreme events, including storm surges, flooding, coastal erosion, enhanced coastal vulnerability with associated livelihood, and economic losses. Nature-based engineering solutions are being adopted as sustainable solutions for helping existing technologies live their design life and providing climate change adaptation and resilience for coastal and riverine communities. This paper involves the investigation of nature-based eco-hydraulic soft coastal engineering to cultivate seaweed for coastal protection. In this context, the present study involves an advanced risk evaluation performed by conducting an extreme bore interaction with seaweed as a soft engineering coastal protection measure. The load reduction on the inland structure during extreme flooding conditions, incorporating seaweed, is addressed. The present study indicates that the load on inland structures can be reduced by as much as 14% in extreme flooding conditions in the presence of seaweed with two rows of seaweed, indicating the usage of seaweed as a part of coastal protection over existing site protection infrastructure for improved coastal mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This document is a profile of Alistair McCormick, a Professor of Plant Engineering Biology at the University of Edinburgh. McCormick's interest in plant science began during his undergraduate biology degree, where he had the opportunity to engage in both outdoor and indoor plant science experiences. He decided to pursue a career in research after an internship at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute, where he focused on understanding the source-sink relationship in sugarcane. McCormick is motivated by the processes of planning and setting things up, as well as the collaborative nature of working with others. He considers his previous supervisors as role models and mentors, and his favorite New Phytologist paper is his own first-author paper. McCormick's research focuses on photosynthesis and growth in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, with a particular interest in improving the efficiency of photosynthetic carbon capture and using synthetic biology approaches to generate high-value secondary products. [Extracted from the article]

With this notice, the Foods Editorial Office alerts the readers to concerns related to this article [[1]]. Following publication, concerns were raised to the Editorial Office regarding the integrity of the data presented in this study. The Editor-in-Chief has decided to issue this expression of concern while an investigation is being conducted. The authors' institution has been contacted to contribute to this investigation.Once this process has been completed, the Editorial Office will provide an update on this situation and announce any post-publication modification deemed to be necessary, as per MDPI's Update to Published Papers policy. [Extracted from the article]

The majestic River Ganga is a sacred environment which nurtures more than 650 million people in her large watershed. The Ganga has proved resilient despite the multiple, enormous, environmental stressors placed on her. The Laurentian Great Lakes have also faced severe environmental degradation and the lessons learned there over the past 50 years can provide guidance for the remediation and restoration of the Ganga. One of the more important lessons is defining Beneficial Use Impairments to focus remediation efforts in degraded Areas of Concern. This paper provides a case study of one such impairment, Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae, and shows how it can be applied as part of a broader Ecosystem Approach towards the identification and selection of Ganga Areas of Concern. The 10 proposed Ganga Areas of Concern are intended to provide guidance to all stakeholders on how and where to focus remediation efforts on the Ganga, and similar ecosystems throughout the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to provide a bibliometric analysis and mapping of existing scientific papers, focusing on microalgae cultivation coupled with biomass production and bioremediation of wastewater from agricultural industries, including cassava, dairy, and coffee. Using the Web of Science (WoS) database for the period 1996–2021, a search was performed using a keyword strategy, aiming at segregating the papers in groups. For the first search step, the keywords "wastewater treatment", AND "microalgae", AND "cassava" OR "dairy" OR "coffee" were used, resulting in 59 papers. For the second step, the keywords "wastewater treatment" AND "biomass productivity" AND "microalgae" AND "economic viability" OR "environmental impacts" were used, which resulted in 34 articles. In these papers, keywords such as "carbon dioxide biofixation" and "removal of nutrients by the production of biomass by microalgae" followed by "environmental and economic impacts" were highlighted. Some of these papers presented an analysis of the economic feasibility of the process, which reveal the state-of-the-art setup required to make the cultivation of microalgae economically viable. Researches focusing on the efficiency of microalgae biomass harvesting are needed to improve the integration of microalgae production in industrial eco-parks using wastewater to achieve the global goal of bioremediation and clean alternatives for renewable energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific and engineering community of whole world is working day and night to develop an alternate of fossil fuel. This is not only due to continuous depletion of fossil fuel reserves but also for day by day increasing global warming. This global warming is mainly due to emission of harmful gases from manufacturing industries and vehicles used for transportation including aerial vehicles. In this paper, an experimental study has been performed in variation of mean cylinder pressure at crank angles divided into 4 categories for each stroke. 180° actual movement of crankshaft is taken as 90° for study. Further analysis is done for all the four strokes starting from power stroke at 0° and end of compression stroke as 360° (actually 720°). The fuel used for the study is a 20% blend of biodiesel named as B20 in the paper. The experimental results obtained in a variable compression ratio engine are compared with the corresponding characteristics of fossil fuel. Diesel named as D100 which is a proved and widely used fuel at present. The comparative study has shown a clear indication that though biodiesel blend B100 may not be suitable in, as it’s condition but blend B20 may be suitable to be used in as is condition as the experimental results are not varying largely with that of pure diesel. Variation in power strokes and exhaust strokes were found to have larger deviation from linear trend whereas it followed linear variation in induction and compression stroke. The performance can be improved further by using suitable additive in further research works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex is a crucial process that has molecular, genetic, cellular, organismal, and population‐level consequences for eukaryotic evolution. Eukaryotic life cycles are composed of alternating haploid and diploid phases but are constrained by the need to accommodate the phenotypes of these different phases. Critical gaps in our understanding of evolutionary drivers of the diversity in algae life cycles include how selection acts to stabilize and change features of the life cycle. Moreover, most eukaryotes are partially clonal, engaging in both sexual and asexual reproduction. Yet, our understanding of the variation in their reproductive systems is largely based on sexual reproduction in animals or angiosperms. The relative balance of sexual versus asexual reproduction not only controls but also is in turn controlled by standing genetic variability, thereby shaping evolutionary trajectories. Thus, we must quantitatively assess the consequences of the variation in life cycles on reproductive systems. Algae are a polyphyletic group spread across many of the major eukaryotic lineages, providing powerful models by which to resolve this knowledge gap. There is, however, an alarming lack of data about the population genetics of most algae and, therefore, the relative frequency of sexual versus asexual processes. For many algae, the occurrence of sexual reproduction is unknown, observations have been lost in overlooked papers, or data on population genetics do not yet exist. This greatly restricts our ability to forecast the consequences of climate change on algal populations inhabiting terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. This perspective summarizes our extant knowledge and provides some future directions to pursue broadly across micro‐ and macroalgal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans have always lived with and around algae. At times, algae enable life, and at others, render life difficult. This article examines two sites suffering from atypical—and potentially harmful—algae blooms: Lake Erie in Ohio (USA) and the Riviera Maya (Mexico). Referring to ethnographic fieldwork, as well as to newspaper articles, policy papers, and online fora, we demonstrate how the narratives around algae have changed over time and shed light on how changes in these narratives opened the discussion of wetland repair and coastal integrity. We argue that conceptualizing algae as the "unwanted" unifies people, brings them together, and makes the treatment of lake eutrophication and coastal protection actionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of large-scale water diversion projects has effectively alleviated the current situation of the uneven distribution of water resources in China. However, due to the siltation of very fine sediment and organic matter on the side wall of an open channel, and the slow velocity of the side wall flow field, it is easy for epipelic algae to be produced, which affects water quality. Because prototype observation cannot be used to predict the series of flow in real time, and the calculation of the mathematical model is affected by parameter limitations, these two methods often cannot truly reflect the hydrodynamic characteristics of an open channel with epipelic algae. Therefore, by referring to the design parameters of the water diversion project channel, this study took the epipelic algae growing on the side wall of an open channel as the research object and used the scale of 1:30 to carry out a generalized flume experiment. Through the analysis of the physical characteristics of the prototype sample, and the simulation of the cohesive force between the oblique side wall and the epipelic algae, multi-group and multi-series hydrodynamic tests were carried out. The velocity distribution law and flow field distribution law were analyzed. The research results show that the presence of epipelic algae has a certain hindering effect on the flow velocity and significantly reduces the range of the peak velocity of the channel along the water depth. The position of the maximum velocity on the vertical line of the channel flow appears at the relative water depth of 0.6. In the case of small flow, the epipelic algae group only reduces the average flow rate of the channel by 5~6%; in the case of large flow, the effect of epipelic algae on the channel flow rate is minimal. This paper includes important scientific guiding significance and practical value for the regulation of water quantity and water quality safety, as well as the protection of long-distance projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigment is an important food additive that plays a major role in the sensory impact of food. And natural sources, healthy and non-toxic edible pigments are receiving a lot of attention. Algae is an important source of natural pigments, and contain chlorophyll, phycoerythrin, carotene, and other natural pigments. Besides staining, the pigment also has powerful physiological activities such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and lipid-lowering. In this paper, three pigments in seaweed were reviewed, and their main structural properties and functions are presented, filling the gap in the review of pigments with seaweed as the main object of introduction. This review provides research basis for the development of new health foods, a new direction for the use of seaweed chlorophyll in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the potential of Sargassum algae, recovered from raw beach seaweed wastes, as a valid source of valuable sodium alginate. Alginate is a biodegradable, highly attractive polysaccharide widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine applications. The aim of this work is to employ a new eco-sustainable and cost-effective extractive method to obtain alginate as a raw material from pollutant organic Sargassum seaweeds. Algae were exposed to microwave pre-treatment under static and dynamic conditions, and three different extractive protocols were followed: (a) conventional, (b) hot water and (c) alkaline method. All samples were characterized by GPC, SEM, FTIR/ATR and TGA. It was found that alginate's best performances were obtained by the microwave dynamic pre-treatment method followed by alkaline extractive protocol. Nevertheless, the microwave pre-treatment of algae allowed the easiest breaking of their cell walls and the following fast releasing of sodium alginate. The authors demonstrated that microwave-enhanced extraction is an effective way to obtain sodium alginate from Sargassum-stranded seaweed waste materials in a cost-effective and eco-sustainable approach. They also assessed their applications as mulching films for agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]