Country: Spain

Institution: IMDEA Energy

Email: cristina.gonzalez@imdea.org

Website: http://www.energy.imdea.org/

Key investigations:

• Anaerobic Digestion

• Wastewater bioremediation

• Photosynthetic microorganisms

Key publications:

• C. Gonzalez-Fernandez, B. Sialve, B. Molinuevo-Salces “Anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass: Challenges, opportunities and research needs” Bioresource Technology 198 (2015) 896-906

• L. Mendez, A. Mahdy, M. Ballesteros, C. Gonzalez Fernandez “Chlorella vulgaris vs cyanobacterial biomasses: Comparison in terms of biomass productivity and biogas yield” Energy Conversion and Management 92 (2015) 137 – 142

• Mahdy, L. Mendez, S. Blanco, M. Ballesteros, C. Gonzalez “Protease cell wall degradation of Chlorella vulgaris: Effect on methane production” Bioresource Technology 171 (2014) 421 – 427

• C. Gonzalez Fernandez, B. Sialve, N. Bernet, J.P. Steyer “Impact of microalgae characteristics on their conversion to biofuel. Part II: Focus on biomethane production” Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefining 6 – 2 (2012) 205 – 218

• C. Gonzalez Fernandez, B. Molinuevo Salces, M.C. Garcia Gonzalez “Nitrogen transformationsunder different conditions in open ponds by means of microalgae-bacteria consortium treating pig slurry” Bioresource Technology 102 (2011) 960 – 966

Country: Belgium

Institution: Aquatic Biology Lab, KU Leuven campus Kortrijk, KU Leuven University

Email: koenraad.muylaert@kuleuven.be

Website: www.kuleuven-kortrijk.be/biology

Key investigations:

• Harvesting of microalgae based on flocculation (alkaline flocculation, bio-based flocculants)

• Production of poly-unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants from microalgae

• Production of the natural pigment phycocyanin in Arthrospira

• Control of grazers in microalgal cultures

• Microalgae-based phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewaters

 

Key publications:

• Vandamme, D., Beuckels, A., Vadelius, E., Depraetere, O., Noppe, W., Dutta, A., Foubert, I., Laurens, L. & Muylaert, K. (2016). Inhibition of alkaline flocculation by algal organic matter for Chlorella vulgaris. Water research, 88, 301-307.

• Eyley, S., Vandamme, D., Lama, S., Van den Mooter, G., Muylaert, K., & Thielemans, W. (2015). CO 2 controlled flocculation of microalgae using pH responsive cellulose nanocrystals. Nanoscale, 7(34), 14413-14421.

• Depraetere, O., Pierre, G., Deschoenmaeker, F., Badri, H., Foubert, I., Leys, N., Wattiez, R. & Muylaert, K. (2015). Harvesting carbohydrate-rich Arthrospira platensis by spontaneous settling. Bioresource technology, 180, 16-21.

• Beuckels, A., Smolders, E., & Muylaert, K. (2015). Nitrogen availability influences phosphorus removal in microalgae-based wastewater treatment. Water research, 77, 98-106.

• Vandamme, D., Foubert, I., & Muylaert, K. (2013). Flocculation as a low-cost method for harvesting microalgae for bulk biomass production. Trends in biotechnology, 31(4), 233-239.

 

Country: France

Institution: IFP Energies Nouvelles

Email: pierre.collet@ifpen.fr

Website: https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=_Hp9aHQAAAAJ&hl=fr

Key investigations:

• Life Cycle Assessment
• Microalgae
• Bioenergy
• Climate change

Key publications:

• Collet, A. Hélias, L. Lardon, M. Ras, R-A. Goy and J-P. Steyer (2011). Life-cycle assessment of microalgae culture coupled to biogas production. Bioresource Technology 102 (1) 207-214

• Collet, A. Hélias, L. Lardon and J-P. Steyer (2014). How to take time into account in the inventory step? A selective introduction based on sensitivity analysis. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 19 (2) 320-330

• Collet, A. Hélias, L. Lardon, J-P. Steyer and O. Bernard (2015). Recommendations for Life Cycle Assessment of algal fuels. Applied Energy 154, 1089-1102

Country: Switzerland

Institution: Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW

Email: dominik.refardt@zhaw.ch

Website(s):

• https://www.zhaw.ch/de/ueber-uns/person/refa/

• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dominik_Refardt

• https://www.zhaw.ch/de/lsfm/institute-zentren/iunr/ecological-engineering/oekotechnologie/

Key investigations:

• Partner of the Swiss consortium for research in bioenergy BIOSWEET. Main focus: alternative nutrient sources for phototrophic cultivation of microalgae

• Application of microalgae in fish feed

Key publications:

• Bagnoud-Velásquez M., D. Refardt, F. Vuille & C. Ludwig. 2015. Opportunities for Switzerland to contribute to the production of algal biofuels: the hydrothermal pathway to bio-methane. CHIMIA 69:614-621.

• Graber A., T. Leiblein, D. Refardt & R. Junge. 2013. Potential of algae turf scrubbers (ATS™) for elimination of phosphorus from swimming ponds. In: Wetland Systems: Ecology, Functioning and Management. Borin M., M. Malagoli, M. Salvato & B. Tanis (Eds). 29-30. P.A.N., Padova.

 

Country: Portugal

Institution: LNEG – National Laboratory of Energy and Geology, IP.

Email: luisa.gouveia@lneg.pt

Website: www.lneg.pt 

Key investigations:

• Microalgae_food_ feed
• Lipid and pigment induction
• Biofuel-based microalgae (H2, biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel)
• Wastewater treatment
• CO2 mitigation
• Supercritical CO2 extraction of bioactive high-value compounds from microalgae
• Microalgae biomass harvesting
• Microalgae Biorefineries
• Life Cycle Analysis

 

Key publications:

• Gouveia, L. (2011). Microalgae as a feedstock for biofuels. Book SpringerBriefs. Springer Berlin Heidelberg Publisher. ISBN 978-3-642-17996-9 e-ISBN 978-3-642-17997-6. DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-17997.

• Batista, A.P.; Ambrosano, L; Graça, S.; Sousa, C.; Marques, P.A.S.S.; Ribeiro, B.; Botrel, E.P.; Neto, P.C.; Gouveia, L. (2015). Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production – An integrated microalgae-based approach. Bioresources Technology Special Issue: Advanced Biofuels/Chemicals from Algae 184, 230-235.

• Nobre, B.; Villalobos, F.; Barragán, B.E; Oliveira, A.C.; Batista, A.P.; Marques, P.A.S.S.; Sovotó, H.; Palavra, A.F.; Gouveia, L. (2013). A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis microalga – Extraction of oils and pigments. Production of biohydrogen from the leftover biomass. Bioresource Technology Special Issue: Biorefinery 135, 128-136.

• Gouveia, L. (2014). From a tiny microalgae to a huge biorefinery. Oceonography special issue: Microalgae 2, 120.

• Gouveia, L.; Reis, A.; Moura, P.; Oliveira, A.C.; Matos, C.; Gírio, F. (2015). Microalgae for biofuels: the Portuguese experience. CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) Watch letter, Nº32, April.

Country: Ireland

Institution:  Food BioSciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland.

Email: maria.hayes@teagasc.ie

Website: http://www.teagasc.ie/ 

 Key investigations:

• NutraMara – The Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative, Grant Award No. MFFRI/07/01, work package leader/researcher
• ReValueProtein – Exploration of Irish meat processing streams for Recovery of high Value Protein based ingredients for food and non-food uses, Grant Award No. 11/F/043, work package 3 and 5 leader
• NutriCerealsIreland – Exploitation of the nutritive properties of safe Irish-grown milled oat and barley varieties as functional ingredients in new healthy food formulations, Grant Award No. , work package 2 and 7 leader
• EUALGAE- European network for algal bio-products, Grant Award No, EU COST action ES1408, Irish MC member and WG 3 leader
• imPARAS -Improving Allergy Risk Assessment Strategy for New Food Proteins, Grant Award No, EU COST action 1402, Irish MC member and WG2 member
• RAPESEED BY-PRODUCT UTILISATION – Extraction of Protocathecuic Acid and Sinapinic Acid from oilseed rape and assessment of their potential as functional food ingredients for improved health benefit in the Irish populace, Grant No., Teagasc, NFBY6799, Leader and supervisor
• BIOALGAE – Bio-refinery of marine macro and microalgae: Exploiting dairy processing platform technologies for enrichment of proteins and value added components, Grant No., Teagasc
• GUTPROTEIN – Purification and identification of peptides from endogenous proteins – Massey University, The Riddet Institute, New Zealand

 Key publications:

1. Hayes, M., Moen, L. F., Auty, M. A., Lea, T. (2016), Transport of a prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory peptide across the blood-brain barrier demonstrated using the hCMEC/D3 cell line transcytosis assay, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 64, 1, 146-150.
2. Lakshmi A Dave, Maria Hayes, Carlos A Montoya, Shane M. Rutherfurd, Paul J. Moughan (2016), Human gut endogenous proteins as a potential source of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I), renin inhibitory and antioxidant peptides. Peptides, 76, 30-44.
3. Garcia-Vaquero, M. & Hayes, M. (2016), Red and Green Macroalgae for fish and animal feed and human functional food development. Food Reviews International, 32, 1, 15-45.
4. Valverde, J., Hayes, M., McLoughlin, P. (2015), Cardioprotective potential of Irish Macroalgae: Generation of glycine betaine and dimethylsulfoniopropionate containing extracts by accelerated solvent extraction. Planta Medica , 81, 679-684.
5. Mora, L., Hayes, M. (2015) Cardioprotective cryptides derived from fish and other food sources: Generation, Application and Future Markets. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63, 5, 1319-1331.

 

Country: Spain

Institution: Dpt. of Chemical Engineering and Enviromental Technology, University of Valladolid (UVa)

Email: mutora@iq.uva.es

Websites: http://envtech.uva.es/ http://gastreatment-microalgaeresearchgroup.blogspot.com.es/

Key investigations:

• Principal Investigator (UVa) Project title: “Innovative Eco-Technologies for Resource Recovery from Wastewater” European Union Horizon2020 program. Water 1b-2015 (2016-2019)

• Integral valorization of SANDACH: Evaluation of the potential of microalgae for nutrient recovery from digestate. BIOGAS FUEL CELL S.A. (2015)

Key publications:

• Posadas E, Serejo M, Blanco S, Perez R, Garcia-Encina P, Muñoz R (2015) Minimization of Biomethane Oxygen Concentration during Biogas Upgrading in Algal-Bacterial Photobioreactors. Algal Research. 12: 221-229

• Alcántara C, Dominguez J, García D, Blanco S, Perez R, Garcia-Encina P, Muñoz R (2015) Evaluation of wastewater treatment in a novel anoxic-aerobic algal-bacterial photobioreactor with biomass recycling through carbon and nitrogen mass balances. Bioresource Technology 191: 173-186.

• Serejo M, Posadas E, Boncz M, Blanco S, Garcia-Encina P, Muñoz R (2015) Influence of biogas flow rate on biomass composition during the optimization of biogas upgrading in microalgal-bacterial processes. Environmental Science & Technology. 49(5): 3228-3236.

• Posadas E, Morales M.M, Gomez C, Acien-Fernandez G, Muñoz R (2015) Influence of pH and CO2 source on the performance of microalgae-based secondary domestic wastewater treatment in outdoors pilot raceways. Chemical Engineering Journal. 265: 239-248.

Email: deniz.karaca@cost.eu

Website: http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/who/(type)/5/(wid)/36170

Country: Italy

Institution: Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi del CNR

Email: torzillo@ise.cnr.it

Website: http://www3.ise.cnr.it

Key investigations:

• Microalgal biotechnology
• Microalgal physiology
• Photobiological hydrogen production
• Bioenergy
• Photobioreactors

 Key publications:

• Silva M., Torzillo G. (2012). Nitrogen and phosphorus removal through laboratory batch cultures of Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacterium Plankthotrix isothrix grown as monoalgal and as co-cultures. J. Appl. Phycol. 24: 267-276.

• Scoma A., Giannelli L Faraloni C., Torzillo G. (2012). Outdoor H2 production in a 50-liter tubular photobioreactor by means of a sulfur-deprived culture of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . J. Biotechnol. 157::620-627

• Scoma A., Giannelli L Faraloni C., Torzillo G. (2012) Sustained H2 production in a Chlamydomonas. reinhardii D1 protein mutant. J. Biotechnol. 157: 613-619;

• Scarsella M., Torzillo G., Cicci A., Belotti G., De Filippis P., Bravi M. (2012). Mechanical stress tolerance of two microalgae. Process Biochemistry 47/11:1606-1614.

• Samori C., Torri C., Fabbri D., Falini G., Faraloni C., Galletti P., Spera S., Taglisavini E., Torzillo G. (2012). Unusual catalysts from molasses: synthesis, properties and application in obtaining of biofuels from algae. ChemSusChem 5: 1501-1512.

• Adessi A., Torzillo G. Baccetti E., De Philippis R. (2012). Sustained outdoor H2 production with Rhodopseudomonas palustris cultures in a 50 L tubular photobioreactor. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 37: 8840-8849.

• Torzillo G., Faraloni C., Silva A.M., Kopecky J., Pilny J., Masojidek J. (2012). Photoacclimation of Phaeodactlylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) cultures grown outdoors in photobioreactors and open ponds. Eur J Phycol. 47: 169-181.

• Giannelli L., Torzillo G. (2012). Hydrogen production with the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown in a compact tubular photobioreactor immersed in a scattering nanoparticle suspension. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 37: 16951-16961.

• Silva Benavides A. M., Torzillo G., Kopecky J., Masojidek J. (2013) Productivity and biochemical composition of Phaeodactlylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) cultures grown outdoors in tubular photobioreactors and open ponds. Biomass and Bioenergy 54:115-122.

• Arias-Peñaranda M. T., Cristiani-Urbina E., Montes-Horcasitas, C.,  Esparza-Garcı́a F, Torzillo G., Cañizares-Villanueva, R.O. (2013). Scenedesmus incrassatulus CLHE-Si01: a potential source of renewable lipid for high quality biodiesel production. Bioresource Technolology. 140: 158-164.

• Faraloni C., Torzillo G. (2013). Xanthophyll cycle induction by anaerobic conditions under low light in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Appl. Phycol. 25: 1457-1471.

• Martínez-Roldán A.J., Perales-Vela H.V., Cañizares-Villanueva R.O., Torzillo G. (2014). Physiological response of Nannochloropsis sp., to saline stress in laboratory bath cultures. J. Appl. Phycol. 26:115-121

• Torzillo G., Scoma A., Faraloni C., Giannelli L. (2014) Advances in the biotechnology of hydrogen production with the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Crit. Review in Biotechnol. DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2014.900734.

• Oncel S.S., Kose A., Faraloni C., Imamoglu E., Elibol M., Torzillo G., Vardan Sukan F. (2014). Biohydrogen production using mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: The effects of light intensity and illumination patterns. Biochem Eng. J. 92: 47-52.

• Oncel S.S., Kose A., Faraloni C., Imamoglu E., Elibol M., Torzillo G., Vardan Sukan F. (2015). Biohydrogen production with the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: A simulation of environmental conditions for outdoor experiments. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.12.121.

• Stojkovic D., Torzillo G., Faraloni C., Valant M. (2015) Hydrogen production by sulfur-deprived TO2-encapsulated Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 40:3201-3206.

 

Chapter in books:

• Torzillo G. Vonshak A., (2013). Environmental stress physiology with reference to mass cultures. In: Handbook of Microalgal Cultures (Richmond A., Hu Q. Eds.). Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford.

• Torzillo G., Seibert M. Hydrogen production by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (2013) Handbook of Microalgal Cultures (Richmond A., Hu Q. Eds.). Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford.

Country: Serbia

Institution: Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad

Email: senka.curcin@yahoo.com

Website: www.tf.uns.ac.rs

Key investigations:

• Supercritical CO2 extraction of bioactive compounds
• Subcritical water extraction of bioactive compounds
• Green extraction technologies
• Spray drying and powders production
• Agricultural and food waste utilization

Key publications:

• Vladić J., Ambrus R., Szabó-Révész P, Vasića V., Cvejina A., Pavlić B., Vidović S.*. Recycling of filter tea industry by-products: production of A. millefolium powder using spray drying technique. Industrial Crops and Products, 80, 197–206, 2016.

• Tomšik A., Pavlić B., Vladić J., Ramić M., Brindzad J., Vidović S.*. Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from wild garlic (Allium ursinum L.). Ultrasonic Sonochemistry, 29, 502-511, 2016.

• Cvjetko Bubalo M., Vidović S., Radojčić Redovniković I., Jokić S. Green Solvents for Green Technologies. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 90, 1631–1639, 2015. 

• Vidović S., Zeković Z., Marošanović B., Pandurević Todorović M., Vladić J. Influence of pre-treatments on yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Satureja montana extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 95, 468–473, 2014.

• Vidović S., Vladić J., Vaštag Z., Zeković Z., Popović Lj. Maltodextrin as a carrier of health benefit compounds in Satureja montana dry powder extract obtained by spray drying technique. Powder Technology, 258, 209-2015, 2014

Country: Slovenia

Institution: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology

Email: marina.klemencic@fkkt.uni-lj.si

Website: http://www.fkkt.uni-lj.si/en/

Key investigations:

• Orthocaspases, apoptotic protein homologues in cyanobacteria
• DNA-barcoding of unicellular cyanobacteria

Key publications:

• Klemenčič M, Novinec M, Dolinar M. Orthocaspases are proteolytically active prokaryotic caspase homologues: the case of Microcystis aeruginosa. Mol Microbiol. 2015 Oct;98(1):142-50.