ALGEBRA: ALGal Environmental and Biotechnological Risk Assessment

Transcription

1 ALGEBRA: ALGal Environmental and Biotechnological Risk Assessment

2 Why commercial interest in algae Uses: Photosynthetic bio-factories Waste water treatment Aquaculture feed stock high levels of lipids and carotenoids Advantages: Naturally high levels of lipids and carotenoids Low nutrient input requirements Rapid growth not as fast as bacteria but much faster than plants!

3 Requirements for commercialisation GM Productivity needs improving Enhancement of existing products Introduction of foreign genes for new product production Production of multiple products for maximum profitability Scale up Growth, containment and disposal requirements on an industrial scale are very different from what we have in the lab!

4 The problem Lack of information and assessment tools available to researchers industrial developers or regulators on the risks associated with large scale GM Algae propagation

5 Associated Risks: Risks to the environment Risks to human health Dependent on... Choices made: Type of growth facility Choice of algae Type of GM Commercial usage Waste disposal

6 quirements for commercialisation choice of alga otosynthetic heterotopic Genetic Modification sexua production asexual reproduction endospore formation choic growth facility This project pathogenic seeks environmental to identify setting risk of GM lease characterise accidental release harvesting and assess disposal the of factors waste risk to th vironment displacement of native colonies disruption o that will need to be considered in osystems alteration of food webs displacement of nativ ecies local order extinctions to progress toxic strains GM algae harmful scale algal bloom rmation aerosol up in formation both closed mortality and to fish open and birds gen nsfer gene product risks intracellular expression extracellula pression toxic product risk systems. to human health legal and IP issue isting legislation public concerns commercial scale up route exposure containment measures system specific issues se ntained bioreactors bubble columns open ponds racewa

7 Type of growth facility One size does not fit all Different algae have different growth requirements Scale and containment dependent on the desired end product. Volume required? Continuous or batch culture? Phototrophic, heterotrophic or Mixotrophic Axenic or non-axenic?

8 Small-scale culture facilities Environmental chambers Controlled temperature rooms

9 Custom built medium-scale bioreactors We build and run medium-scale bioreactors specific to particular strains and end-uses. Examples: Bag Columns, Biocoil, Helical Airlift,...

10 Chemostats for high-value end applications, e.g. pharmaceuticals

11 Bubble Columns Bubble columns increase relative growth rate via highly efficient culture mixing Various strains thriving in our 3.5 L and 10 L bubble columns

12 Large scale bio-reactors c. 500 L capacity, 8 x 600 watt metal-halide lights, efficient degassing in dark phase, direct filling from UV treatment media tank High level control of growth parameters

13 Open Ponds Indoor pond (PML) Outdoor pond (Sapphire Energy)

14 Type of algae Microalgae? Macroalgae? Cyanobacteria? Pathogenic? Cephaleuros plant parasitic alga Prototheca and Chlorella- animal and human infection Production of natural toxins? Endospore formation Oceanic or fresh Range of salt tolerance

15 Risk to the environment Harmful Algal Blooms Gene transfer Displacement of native colonies Disruption of ecosystem Cause local extinctions GM product effects

16 Type of Modification Energy production Enhanced lipid production Altered Fatty acid content Aquaculture and nutraceuticals Enhanced omega fatty acids Enhanced carotenoid biosynthesis Pharmaceutical Production of human therapeutic proteins and PUFAs (e.g. proinsulin, turpenoids)

17 Harvesting, Processing and Waste Amount and type of waste depends on harvesting and processing methods. Continuous centrifuge, tangential flow filtration, flocculation and protein skimming, hydrothermal liquefaction, freeze drying Hydrothermal liquefaction bio crude production no bio waste Single high value product extraction GM biomass waste not viable Excreted product (skimming) GM bio waste viable need treating prior to disposal

18 Disposal Use everything so that there is little to no waste stream adds value and reduces costs On land - could be used as fertiliser adds value Burning energy production Fermentation more energy Drains arrgh! massive biomass hitting sewers and water ways could cause environmental issues

19 Monitoring Monitoring on site fixed and or roving locations Monitoring the potential receiving areas Monitoring in advance of a release Generates background data for comparison Use monitoring if there is a release to determine impacts (if any) PML well serviced with external monitoring of the Plymouth sound

20 The Western Channel Observatory (WCO) Western English Channel: boundary region between oceanic and neritic waters; straddles biogeographical provinces; both boreal / cold temperate & warm temperate organisms considerable fluctuation of flora and fauna since records began. Southward et al. (2005) Adv. Mar. Biol., 47

21 PML L bubble columns 3.5L chemostats 600L tubular PBR Open ponds (indoor) Case study Varicon Aqua Self contained bioreactors Sapphire Energy (San Diego) Outdoor Ponds

22 Thanks! Dr Tracey Beacham +44 (0) Dr Mike Allen Dr Jeremy Sweet- JT Environmental Consultants Ltd