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High-starch algae play a crucial role in various fields, including biofuel production, agricultural feed supplementation, and carbon dioxide binding. Recent advancements have introduced a novel method for regulating starch storage in algae, presenting promising implications for addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
“By modifying a blue light-activated signaling pathway, we can manage starch storage more effectively. This approach yields significantly higher results compared to traditional techniques that rely on nutrient scarcity,” explains Dimitris Petroutsos, an Associate Professor at Uppsala University and the principal investigator of a study published in Nature Communications.
Light is vital for photosynthetic organisms, notably plants and algae. In green algae like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, sunlight energy is harnessed to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbohydrates, which are essential for growth or can be stored as starch for later use.
The Unique Impact of Blue Light
The study reveals that blue light uniquely influences starch storage in algae via a protein known as phototropin. Upon detecting blue light, phototropin triggers a signaling pathway that modulates starch accumulation by regulating key metabolic genes. This mechanism enables algae to adjust their energy resources, balancing immediate growth (lower starch levels) and long-term storage (higher starch levels).
Significantly, researchers observed that genetically altered algae lacking phototropin exhibited an increase in starch content from 5% to 25% of their dry weight, all while maintaining robust growth and photosynthesis rates.
Potential to Mitigate Greenhouse Gases
There are three sectors that could particularly benefit from enhanced regulation of starch storage:
Biofuels: Algae rich in starch hold potential for bioethanol and other biofuel production. By manipulating the phototropin signaling pathways, starch production can be increased in a more systematic manner.
Sustainable Agriculture: Microalgae are already utilized as feed supplements in agricultural practices. Improved control of starch storage could enhance the nutritional profile of these supplements, making them more effective for animal feed and as soil enhancers.
Carbon Capture: Regulating starch accumulation in algae influences carbon storage processes, which could significantly aid in carbon dioxide capture efforts, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
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