Light intensity defines growth and photopigment content of a mixed culture of purple phototrophic bacteria

Light intensity defines growth and photopigment content of a mixed culture of purple phototrophic bacteria

Cerruti, M. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology)
Kim, J.H. (Student TU Delft)
Pabst, Martin (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology)
van Loosdrecht, Mark C.M. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology)
Weissbrodt, D.G. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology)

2022

Purple bacteria (PPB), anoxygenic photoorganoheterotrophic organisms with a hyper-versatile metabolism and high biomass yields over substrate, are promising candidates for the recovery of nutrient resources from wastewater. Infrared light is a pivotal parameter to control and design PPB-based resource recovery. However, the effects of light intensities on the physiology and selection of PPB in mixed cultures have not been studied to date. Here, we examined the effect of infrared irradiance on PPB physiology, enrichment, and growth over a large range of irradiance (0 to 350 W m−2) in an anaerobic mixed-culture sequencing batch photobioreactor. We developed an empirical mathematical model that suggests higher PPB growth rates as response to higher irradiance. Moreover, PPB adapted to light intensity by modulating the abundances of their phototrophic complexes. The obtained results provide an in-depth phylogenetic and metabolic insight the impact of irradiance on PPB. Our findings deliver the fundamental information for guiding the design of light-driven, anaerobic mixed-culture PPB processes for wastewater treatment and bioproduct valorization.

anaerobic wastewater treatment
water resource recovery
PNSB
irradiance effects
pigments

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:84a6d145-6ad1-46f2-b3ff-af4bc95916bd

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1014695

1664-302X

Frontiers in Microbiology, 13

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 M. Cerruti, J.H. Kim, Martin Pabst, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, D.G. Weissbrodt