BANDUNG, fmipa.itb.ac.id –Microalgae Research Team from the Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering Research Team, FMIPA ITB, collaborated with Greenlabs (PT. Inovasi Hijau Indonesia) and Jubelo in developing a green microalgae-based CO2 absorber phototank (G-AlgaeTM). The development of this phototank was inspired by artificial trees that have been developed abroad, namely microalgae liquid as a CO2 absorber in urban areas with limited land. In contrast to products that have been developed overseas, the 100 L phototank made by the Microalgae Research Team uses a locally isolated green microalgae species that was studied and optimized in the ITB laboratory, namely the Nannochloropsis sp species. Microalgae have a carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) system which plays a role in absorbing CO2 for photosynthesis. The ability to absorb CO2 by 100 L of Nannochloropsis sp culture is estimated to be equivalent to 1–2 higher plants. To monitor the quality of the surrounding air, the phototank is also equipped with a pollutant sensor system.

During the development of the phototank prototype, the Microalgae Research Team faced various challenges. One of them is related to selecting the right microalgae species to be cultivated in the phototank. Before using Nannochloropsis sp., the research team studied the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii species as a candidate for green microalgae to be used. However, this microalgae species apparently has a very high growth rate, so it is necessary to add new media in a short time. This is undesirable because it is less practical and economical. Finally, Nannochloropsis sp. was chosen because it has a brighter color and is more resistant to contamination. Besides that, its lifespan is estimated to reach the order of a month through optimization of media and growing conditions.

The creation of this CO2-absorbing phototank is supported by Matching Fund (Matching Fund/Kedaireka) Program from DIKTI Ministry of Education and Research and Technology, which is managed by LPIK ITB. Apart from that, the research and development (R&D) aspect is also synergistically supported by ITB Research 2024. The Microalgae Research Team in the Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering Research Group consists of Rindia Maharani Putri, Ph.D., Alfredo Kono, Ph.D., Prof. Zeily Nurachman D.Sc., Yanti Rachmayanti, Ph.D., and Dr. Eng. Sari Dewi Kurniasih. This project also involved MBKM students from the Chemistry ITB, namely Putri Ayunita Azahra and Jasmine Azizah. Interestingly, the Greenlabs team also consists of Chemistry ITB alumni, namely Greenlabs CEO, Eunike Kartika Salduna, S.Si., M.Si., and Algae Innovation and Development Supervisor, Chalisya Dibya Iranisha, S.Si.

Once this prototype is observed to function well, nine limited-scale products will be made this year. Some products will be placed at ITB and Greenlabs, while the rest will be outside ITB, such as offices, shopping centers, or apartments. In places with limited area such as urban or indoor areas, this phototank can be an alternative for absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen photosynthetically. Rindia said, “The hope is that this phototank can become a downstream research product that can be commercialized, of course after having a patent and commercialization documents with Greenlabs partners through LPIK ITB.” [Siti Komariah]