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    Physicochemical approach to freshwater microalgae harvesting with magnetic particles

    Year: 2013

    Journal: Colloids and Surfaces B: BiointerfacesVolume 112, 1 December 2013, Pages 213–218, 20131119

    Authors: Gita Prochazkova 1, Nikola Podolova 1, Ivo Safarik 2 3, Vilem Zachleder 4, Tomas Branyik 1

    Organizations: 1: Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic, 2: Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Nanobiology and Structural Biology of GCRC, AS CR, Na Sadkach 7, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, 3: Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic, 4: Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 37981 Třebon, Czech Republic

    Magnetic harvesting of microalgal biomass provides an attractive alternative to conventional methods. The approach to this issue has so far been pragmatic, focused mainly on finding cheap magnetic agents in combination with harvestable microalgae species. The aim of this work was to study experimentally and theoretically the mechanisms leading to cell-magnetic agent attachment/detachment using real experiments and predictions made by colloidal adhesion (XDLVO) model. Two types of well defined magnetic beads (MBs) carrying ion exchange functional groups (DEAE – diethylaminoethyl and PEI – polyethylenimine) were studied in connection with microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris). Optimal harvesting efficiencies (>90%) were found for DEAE and PEI MBs, while efficient detachment was achieved only for DEAE MBs (>90%). These findings were in accordance with the predictions by XDLVO model. Simultaneously there was found a discrepancy between the XDLVO prediction and the poor detachment of PEI MBs from microalgal surface. This can be ascribed to an additional interaction (probably covalent bonds) between PEI and algal surface, which the XDLVO model is unable to capture given by its non-covalent nature.