PhyToVALUE · Phytoplankton Towards Valorization of Ammonia-containing Liquid for Upgraded Economy
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2023-07-17 → 2025-08-16
- EU contribution
- €181,153
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Phytoplankton Towards Valorization of Ammonia-containing Liquid for Upgraded Economy
Ammonia (NH₃) is a key compound in agriculture and wastewater treatment. It is both an essential nutrient and a potential pollutant: in excess, it is toxic to aquatic organisms and can destabilize algal cultivation systems. In Europe, where resource efficiency and circular economy are strategic priorities, the valorisation of waste-derived nutrients such as NH₃ is of increasing importance. At the same time, reliable and affordable tools for monitoring NH₃ toxicity in real time are lacking. The PhyToVALUE project set out to address this challenge by developing a fluorescence-based method and device to detect NH₃ toxicity in microalgae rapidly, non-destructively, and at a low cost. Its overall objectives were: -To evaluate different fluorescence methods and identify the most sensitive approach for detecting NH₃ inhibition. -To establish a statistical model to distinguish NH₃ toxicity from other environmental stressors. -To develop a low-cost and open-source monitoring device. -To test the system in longer-term cultivation experiments with the aim of integrating it into ammonia feeding control. By pursuing these objectives, the project contributes to the European Green Deal goals, providing tools that support sustainable resource use, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and enhance algal biotechnology.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Unicellular small plants, microalgae and cyanobacteria, have a great potential to valorize wastewater by producing high-value biomaterials using the contained nutrients. However, a high concentration of ammonia in wastewater exhibits strong toxicity to microorganisms and prevents the successful cultivation of algae. While dilution is the most prevalent solution, large consumption of freshwater resources is costly and not sustainable. Therefore, this project aims to develop a novel method to detect algal ammonia inhibition by fluorescence monitoring, which will enable direct feeding of undiluted ammonia-containing wastewaters by controlling the feeding rate. In this project, appropriate fluorescent methods will be screened first, and the screened methods will be applied to algal cells exposed to various types of inhibition. A multivariate statistical model will be constructed to distinguish ammonia toxicity from other inhibitions. For improvement of feasibility, a low-cost fluorescent monitoring device shall be also developed. Finally, the developed methods and devices will be integrated into a long-term ammonia feeding control experiment to evaluate the feasibility. During the implementation of the research project, the candidate will receive training both from the host institution (Universidad de Valladolid; UVa) and from the Centre Algatech (CA) where the external advisor belongs to. The candidate will further develop skills in process engineering in the training from UVa and learn the mechanisms of fluorescence from CA. The expected results of the project include a fluorescent algal toxicity identification tool, a low-cost fluorescent monitoring device, and the ammonia toxicity control protocol, all of which have a strong impact on the field of wastewater treatment, aquaculture, and algal mass cultivation. Successful development of proposed methods will enhance the utilization of waste for value creation, leading to the establishment of a sustainable society.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101067916
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e50750e37e&appId=PPGMS
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e51e19204f&appId=PPGMS
Data: CORDIS, © European Union