Indonesia is a mega-biodiverse country, boasting a diverse range of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, the diversity of Indonesia’s native microalgae is still largely unknown. Studies on microalgal biodiversity, including cyanobacteria, are still limited to research on the structure of microalgal communities in Indonesian waters.
Prof. Dr. Dra. Nining Betawati Prihantini, M.Sc. from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), University of Indonesia (UI), was interested in observing microalgae in Indonesian waters, including in the UI area. The microalgae she discovered were then identified and isolated to study their benefits. Some of the microalgae successfully isolated were strains of Stanieria, Leptolyngbya, and Synecochoccus. These strains can be used as raw materials for biofuel.
He delivered about the microalgae in his inaugural speech as Permanent Professor of Systematics and Utilization of Microalgae, FMIPA UI, on Wednesday (25/10), at the UI Depok Campus Assembly Hall. The inauguration procession was led by the Chair of the UI Professors Council, 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 of Indigenous Indonesian Microalgae in the Study of Systematics, Biodiversity, Utilization, and Conservation Efforts”, Prof. Nining highlighted the importance of exploration and research on microalgae to understand the biodiversity of microalgae.
In the UI area, he said, there is also an endangered microalgae, namely Chara. This type of microalgae is known to be susceptible to environmental changes, so it is often found in clean, pollutant-free waters. Chara was found in the Natural Laboratory, which is a spring near the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UI. The waters of the Natural Laboratory are pools of water that are still clean from environmental pollution. To support the sustainability of Chara, conservation efforts are carried out in two ways. First, conservation outside its habitat (ex situ) through culturing in the Algae Culture Room of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UI—the development location of the UI Microalgae Culture Collection (UIMCC). Second, preservation of Chara in its natural habitat. The initial stage that must be considered in microalgae conservation is the creation of an appropriate growth medium.
Prof. Nining added that in utilizing microalgae, it is important to understand their characteristics to maximize their utilization. She said, “Microalgae to be utilized need to be propagated through a culturing process. The propagation of the culture (biomass) is highly dependent on
culture vessels and the systems used. One commonly used system is a photobioreactor to produce large amounts of biomass.”
The photobioreactor system was designed to provide supporting factors for microalgae growth. Chlorella DPK-01 was grown in a tubular photobioreactor. Meanwhile, Synechococcus HS-9, Leptolyngbya HS-16, and Mastigocladus HS-46 (cyanobacteria) were cultivated in tubular and flat photobioreactors. These microalgae were grown for biomass production as a biofuel feedstock.
After the biomass production process, the next step is harvesting. The ultrasonic harvesting method, called the Ultrasound Harvesting Module (UHM), is designed to improve cost and time efficiency during the harvesting process. The resulting microalgae biomass can be processed into lipids for biofuel feedstock and protein for food.
“Research on Indonesian microalgae is conducted in conjunction with other research, such as wastewater treatment, carbon capture, and ex-situ conservation efforts for native Indonesian microalgae. Correct identification of algae species can be applied in biotechnology, for example as a source of food, medicine, cosmetics, and biofuel. An understanding of taxonomy and systematics is necessary to maximize the utilization of the microalgae studied,” said Prof. Nining.
Prof. Nining’s research on microalgae is one of several previously conducted studies. Some of these include The Characteristics of Diatoms in Different Preservation Methods: A Comparative Study (2023); Biomass Production of Subang Isolated Scenedesmus in Tube-shaped 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. graduated from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, UI in 1987; completed her Master’s degree in the Program of Biosystem Studies, University of Tsukuba, Japan in 1998; and obtained her doctorate from the Department of Biology, FMIPA UI in 2015. Currently, she serves as the Head of the Microbial Systematics and Prospecting (MSP) Research Group, Department of Biology, FMIPA UI.
