Scientists may be on the verge of taking a big step closer to the net-zero carbon emissions goal, thanks to University of Houston research into algae. Hidden potential is being revealed in the major algae studies at the microbial products lab, located at UH at Sugar Land.
Venkatesh Balan holds a flask of cyanobacteria. Its bright green color is a sign of its ability to convert sunlight into energy. But more intriguing for Balan and his team of researchers is cyanobacteria’s untapped power to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The research project is detailed in a newly published article in Green Chemistry, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Balan, associate professor of engineering technology in UH’s Cullen College of Engineering’s Division of Technology, is exploring surprising traits among small fresh- and salt-water phototropic (light-sensitive) organisms referred to as microalgae.
Microalgae can sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. But it is its ability, through a series of processes, to convert its captured CO2 into mass-produced proteins, lipids and carbohydrates that most interests Balan and his team.
“This green process goes beyond climate issues. For example, it may even transform the way we produce our food.”– Venkatesh Balan
His research evaluates the potential of using microalgae to treat wastewater and use algal biomass to produce food, fertilizers, fuels and chemicals. Algae grown in freshwater treatments, such as spirulina, is being used in health supplements and cosmetics. In the future, microalgae could be used as sustainable feed stock for producing biofuels and biochemicals that could lessen dependency on fossil fuels.
Microalgae’s most immediate superpower, however, is its potential to play a key role in solving global warming.
“We are experiencing climate change. This summer’s 100-degree heat that lasted three months here in Texas, and in several other parts of the world, had never been seen before. That is a testament to climate change. No one can deny it.”– Venkatesh Balan
The greenhouse effect – in which certain gases are blanketing Earth’s atmosphere, trapping heat closer to the planet – speeds up the warming. Greenhouse gases can include any gas that absorbs infrared radiation. In Earth’s atmosphere, CO2 and chlorofluorocarbons are major contributors.
“There is much interest among lawmakers and policymakers, even among companies that emit greenhouse gases, to find alternatives, especially for those emitted from industry.”– Venkatesh Balan
But industry isn’t the only source of emissions. Everyday consumer habits also contribute, from the production and transport of food to individual commutes.
Until now, CO2 capture has typically meant burying it underground or under oceans — a costly and energy-intensive process. But Balan offers an alternative: using algae to fix CO2 and turn it into bioproducts.
With research assistant Masha Alian, he discovered algae can also be used as a substrate to grow fungi. This combination is found in lichen — a mix of algae and fungi — which grows on tree trunks and is a food source for deer. Balan’s lab is working to replicate this natural relationship in controlled environments.
“The algae produce oxygen, and the fungi stabilize CO2 and produce oxygen.”– Venkatesh Balan
As a bonus, the algae–fungi blend could become a new healthy food product.
Balan is the lead author of the article “Potential of Using Microalgae to Sequester CO2 and Processing to Bioproducts.” Coauthors include:
- James Pierson and Hasan Husain, University of Houston
- Sandeep Kimar, Old Dominion University
- Christopher Saffron, Michigan State University
- Vinod Kumar, Cranfield University (UK)