A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Potential of carbon nanotubes in algal biotechnology
Authors: Lambreva Maya Dimova, Lavecchia Teresa, Tyystjärvi Esa, Antal Taras Kornelievich, Orlanducci Silvia, Margonelli Andrea, Rea Giuseppina
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Photosynthesis Research
Volume: 125
Issue: 3
First page : 451
Last page: 471
Number of pages: 21
ISSN: 0166-8595
eISSN: 1573-5079
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-015-0168-z
Abstract
Abstract A critical mass of knowledge is emerging on
the interactions between plant cells and engineered nanomaterials,
revealing the potential of plant nanobiotechnology
to promote and support novel solutions for the
development of a competitive bioeconomy. This knowledge
can foster the adoption of new methodological
strategies to empower the large-scale production of biomass
from commercially important microalgae. The present
review focuses on the potential of carbon nanotubes
(CNTs) to enhance photosynthetic performance of
microalgae by (i) widening the spectral region available for
the energy conversion reactions and (ii) increasing the
tolerance of microalgae towards unfavourable conditions
occurring in mass production. To this end, current understanding
on the mechanisms of uptake and localization of
CNTs in plant cells is discussed. The available ecotoxicological
data were used in an attempt to assess the feasibility
of CNT-based applications in algal biotechnology,
by critically correlating the experimental conditions with
the observed adverse effects. Furthermore, main structural
and physicochemical properties of single- and multi-walled
CNTs and common approaches for the functionalization
and characterization of CNTs in biological environment are
presented. Here, we explore the potential that nanotechnology
can offer to enhance functions of algae, paving the
way for a more efficient use of photosynthetic algal systems
in the sustainable production of energy, biomass and
high-value compounds.
Abstract A critical mass of knowledge is emerging on
the interactions between plant cells and engineered nanomaterials,
revealing the potential of plant nanobiotechnology
to promote and support novel solutions for the
development of a competitive bioeconomy. This knowledge
can foster the adoption of new methodological
strategies to empower the large-scale production of biomass
from commercially important microalgae. The present
review focuses on the potential of carbon nanotubes
(CNTs) to enhance photosynthetic performance of
microalgae by (i) widening the spectral region available for
the energy conversion reactions and (ii) increasing the
tolerance of microalgae towards unfavourable conditions
occurring in mass production. To this end, current understanding
on the mechanisms of uptake and localization of
CNTs in plant cells is discussed. The available ecotoxicological
data were used in an attempt to assess the feasibility
of CNT-based applications in algal biotechnology,
by critically correlating the experimental conditions with
the observed adverse effects. Furthermore, main structural
and physicochemical properties of single- and multi-walled
CNTs and common approaches for the functionalization
and characterization of CNTs in biological environment are
presented. Here, we explore the potential that nanotechnology
can offer to enhance functions of algae, paving the
way for a more efficient use of photosynthetic algal systems
in the sustainable production of energy, biomass and
high-value compounds.
UTU Research Portal