Botryococcus braunii Strain for High-Temperature Hydrocarbon Culturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Botryococcus braunii strains are limited by their growth temperature range, ceasing to grow at temperatures above 35°C, which restricts outdoor culturing, especially during periods of high solar radiation, and have variable hydrocarbon content, making it difficult to achieve high-purity hydrocarbons for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A novel strain of Botryococcus braunii race-B, designated as Botryococcus braunii tsukuba-1, is identified, which produces hydrocarbons with the molecular formula C34H58 at 60% of cell dry weight, optimal at 30°C or higher, and capable of growing above 35°C, allowing for high-purity hydrocarbon production and culturing across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If outdoor culturing is carried out using sunlight to minimize costs, then culturing cost is reduced, but water temperature increases causing existing strains to cease growth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the strain by selecting and cultivating Botryococcus braunii strain CCAP 807/1 at elevated temperatures (30-40°C) to adapt it to hot outdoor conditions, enabling growth where other strains cannot survive
2Ease of operation
If existing Botryococcus braunii strains are used, then culturing is straightforward, but hydrocarbon content varies making high-purity production difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention focuses on improving the specific local quality of hydrocarbon production in strain CCAP 807/1, which naturally produces high proportions of triterpene hydrocarbons (60-80% of total hydrocarbons), thereby achieving both ease of culturing and high manufacturing precision
3Productivity
If Botryococcus braunii is cultured in seasons with high solar radiation intensity, then photosynthetic efficiency increases, but water temperature rises above optimal growth temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature adaptation parameter of the strain by using Botryococcus braunii strain CCAP 807/1, which has been selected to grow optimally at 30-40°C, allowing it to thrive in high-solar-radiation periods when water temperatures reach 35-40°C
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The novel strain enables the production of high-purity hydrocarbons suitable for direct use in fuels and industrial processes, and can be cultured at temperatures up to 45°C, overcoming the growth limitations of other strains and facilitating efficient outdoor cultivation.
Implementation Method 1
the use of photosynthetic organisms that convert water and carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons by light energy is also attracting interest
Data Source
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AI summary
Provision of a novel strain belonging to Botryococcus braunii, capable of growth under a wide range of culturing conditions, having a high hydrocarbon content, and having high purity of the target hydrocarbon.