DESAlgae –Capturing and re-using CO2 using deep eutectic solvents and microalgae

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms naturally adapted to capture CO2 from atmosphere due to the presence of a specific enzyme, carbonic anhydrase (CA). We aim to extract this enzyme from microalgae fresh biomass, using a low-cost green solvent named deep eutectic solvent (DES). This combo, DES + CA, when placed in a gas-membrane contactor, will capture CO2 from flue gas, while simultaneously purifying it. This pure CO2 stream will later be used to produce microalgae biomass. This results is a closed loop, where CO2 is fixed to generate more CO2 fixation, and biorefinery of high-value compounds for a growing market.