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Investigating and modelling the effect of light intensity on Rhodopseudomonas palustris growth
  • Brandon Ross,
  • Robert William McClelland Pott
Brandon Ross
Stellenbosch University

Corresponding Author:bsross@sun.ac.za

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Robert William McClelland Pott
Stellenbosch University
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Abstract

Photosynthetic bacteria can be useful biotechnological tools – they produce a variety of valuable products, including high purity hydrogen, and can simultaneously treat recalcitrant wastewaters. However, while photobioreactors have been designed and modelled for photosynthetic algae and cyanobacteria, there has been less work on understanding the effect of light in photosynthetic bacterial fermentations. In order to design photobioreactors, and processes using these organisms, robust models of light penetration, utilisation and conversion are needed. This article uses experimental data from a tubular photobioreactor designed to focus in on light intensity effects, to model the effect of light intensity on the growth of Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a model photosynthetic bacterium. The work demonstrates that growth is controlled by light intensity, and that this organism does experience photoinhibition above 600 W/m2, which has implications for outdoor applications. Further, the work presents a model for light penetration in circular photobioreactors, which tends to be the most common geometry. The work extends the modelling tools for these organisms, and will allow for better photobioreactor design, and the integration of modelling tools in designing processes which use photosynthetic bacteria.
21 Jun 2021Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering
24 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
24 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
21 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
13 Dec 20211st Revision Received
14 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
14 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
14 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
25 Dec 2021Published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 10.1002/bit.28026