Depok, October 25th 2023. Indonesia is a mega biodiversity country that has various types of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, not much is known about the diversity of native/indigenous microalgae in Indonesia. Studies on microalgae biodiversity, including Cyanobacteria, are still limited to research on microalgae community structure in Indonesian waters.
Prof. Dr. Dra. Nining Betawati Prihantini, M.Sc. from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Indonesia (UI), is interested in observing microalgae in Indonesian waters, including in the UI area. The microalgae she found were then identified and isolated to study their benefits. Some of the microalgae that were isolated were Stanieria, Leptolyngbya, and Synechococcus strains. These strains can be used as raw material for biofuel.
She spoke about microalgae in her inauguration speech as Permanent Professor in the Field of Systematics and Utilization of Microalgae, FMIPA UI, on Wednesday (25/10), at the UI Depok Campus Convention Hall. The inauguration procession was led by the Chair of the UI Board of Professors, Prof. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, S.H., M.A., Ph.D., and attended by Professor of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Prof. Dr. Puspita Lisdiyanti, M.Agr., Chem.
In her scientific oration entitled “Exploration and Research on Indonesian Indigenous Microalgae in Systematic Studies, Biodiversity, Utilization, and Conservation Efforts”, Prof. Nining highlighted the importance of exploration and research on microalgae to determine microalgae biodiversity.
In the UI area, she said, there is also microalgae that is threatened with extinction, namely Chara. This type of microalgae is known to be vulnerable to environmental changes, thus it is often found in waters that are clean and free of pollutants. Chara was found in the Nature Laboratory, namely a spring near FMIPA UI. The waters of the Natural Laboratory are a body of water that is still clean from environmental pollution.
To support Chara’s sustainability, conservation efforts are carried out in two ways. First, conservation outside its habitat (ex situ) through culturing in the Algae Culture Room, Department of Biology, FMIPA UI—the location for the development of the UI Microalgae Culture Collection (UIMCC). Second, preserving Chara in its natural habitat. The initial stage that must be considered in microalgae conservation is creating an appropriate growth medium.
Prof. Nining added that in utilizing microalgae, the characteristics of the microalgae need to be known so that they can be utilized optimally. She said, “The microalgae that will be used need to be reproduced through a culturing process. The propagation of culture (biomass) really depends on the culture container and system used. One commonly used system is a photobioreactor to produce large amounts of biomass.”
The photobioreactor system is designed to provide supporting factors for microalgae growth. Chlorella DPK-01 was grown in a tube-shaped photobioreactor. Meanwhile, Synechococcus HS-9, Leptolyngbya HS-16, and Mastigocladus HS-46 (Cyanobacteria) have been cultivated in tube and flat photobioreactors. The microalgae is grown for biomass production as raw material for biofuel.
After the biomass production process, the next procedure is harvesting. The harvesting method using ultrasonic waves called Ultrasound Harvesting Module (UHM) is designed to increase cost and time efficiency during the harvesting process. The microalgae biomass obtained can be processed into lipids for biofuel raw materials and into protein for food raw materials.
“Research on Indonesian microalgae is carried out in line with other research, such as waste water treatment, carbon capture, and ex situ conservation efforts for native Indonesian microalgae. Correct identification of algae species can be applied in the field of biotechnology, for example as a source of food, medicine, cosmetics and biofuel. An understanding of taxonomy and systematics is needed so that the microalgae studied can be utilized optimally,” said Prof. Nining.
Prof. Nining’s research on microalgae is one of the studies carried out previously. Some of them are The Characteristics of Diatoms in Different Preservation Methods: A Comparative Study (2023); Biomass Production of Subang Isolated Scenedesmus in Tubeshaped Photobioreactor with the Exposure of Audible Sound (Music): Photobioreactor Improvement Strategy (2023); and The Role of Indonesian Indigenous Cyanobacteria Culture Collection as An Ex-situ Conservation Effort and Microalgae Biodiversity Study Material (2023).
Prof. Dr. Dra. Nining Betawati Prihantini, M.Sc. completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, UI in 1987; completed Master’s degree at the Program of Biosystem Studies, University of Tsukuba, Japan in 1998; and obtained a doctoral degree at the Department of Biology, FMIPA UI in 2015. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Microbial Systematics and Prospecting (MSP) Research Group, Department of Biology, FMIPA UI.
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Dra. Amelita Lusia, M.Sc., CPR
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