Understanding phycosomal dynamics to improve industrial microalgae cultivation.

The phycosome – the algal microbiome – can impact microalgal cultivation productivity and stability through metabolic interaction networks. Polycultures can be designed based upon complementary traits and metabolic potential to maximize yields. Stable and resilient consortia are a sustainable approach to contamination challenges compared to the traditional use of pesticides and extensive sterilizing methods. High-pH/high-alkalinity microalgal cultivation can better control inputs and outputs via direct air CO 2 capture. Less is known about the ecology of extreme and productive systems, with implications for long-term, repeated cultivations. Lessons learned from natural and industrial systems with varying pH, alkalinity, temperature, and salinity can inform input and output control of algal growth systems. Algal–bacterial interactions are ubiquitous in both natural and industrial systems, and the characterization of these interactions has been reinvigorated by potential applications in biosystem productivity. Different growth conditions can be used for operational functions, such as the use of low-quality water or high pH/alkalinity, and the altered operating conditions likely constrain microbial community structure and function in unique ways. However, research is necessary to better understand whether consortia can be designed to improve the productivity, processing, and sustainability of industrial-scale cultivations through different controls that can constrain microbial interactions for maximal light-driven outputs. The review highlights current knowledge and gaps for relevant operating conditions, as well as suggestions for near-term and longer-term improvements for large-scale cultivation and polyculture engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]