English name: Laboratory Aquatic Biology Parent institute: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Campus Kortrijk; Faculteit Wetenschappen en Technologie; Departement Biologie (KULeuven), more
Address: Etienne Sabbelaan 53 8500 Kortrijk Belgium | | Type: Scientific
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1 Director: Head of the department 2 Marine scientist: Works in this research group and acts as (co-)author in at least one marine publication in the last 5 years. 3 Specialized personnel: Provides administrative or technical support to marine scientific research.
Persons formerly associated with this organization (17) | |
Abstract: | The laboratory Aquatic Biology of the KU Leuven University (Kulak Kortrijk Campus) was founded in 2008. The laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research with regard to aquatic microorganisms in both natural and artificial waters. The research focuses on three main topics: (1) the causes and solutions for eutrophication and algal blooms, both in freshwater and marine ecosystems; (2) the development of applications of microalgae, such as in waste water treatment, biofuel production or food and animal feed. The main aim of the marine microalgae research is to discover particular species that are a source of omega-3 fatty acids and new antioxidants; (3) fundamental research regarding the evolutionary interaction between parasites and their hosts, using the water flea Daphnia as an animal model.
The marine topics studied by this group can be summarised as follows: - Study of the variations in phytoplankton diversity and density in the Scheldt Estuary; - Research on cultivation of marine microalgae.
The group focuses on the use of marine microalgae in sustainable technologies such as replacing fish oil by algae oil and microalgae as a source of new natural products (antioxidants, pigments). They group focuses on several challenges related to microalgae production, such as the cost-effective harvesting of microalgae, the development of techniques for the extraction and processing of omega-3 fatty acids from microalgae and the control of contamination of large-scale cultures by pest organisms.
In the scope of the above-mentioned research, the laboratory collaborates intensively with the Agricultural University of Athens (Athens, Greece), IMDEA Energy (Madrid, Spain), National Renewable Energy Laboratories (Golden, USA), Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, USA), University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia), Korea Institute of Energy Research (Daejeon, South Korea), Universidade Federal de Rio Grande (Brazil) and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Mexico). |
Publications (63) | Top | Persons | Dataset | ( 55 peer reviewed ) split up filter Tyagi, S.; Rao, N.R.H.; Thielemans, W.; Muylaert, K. (2025). Comparing sedimentation and dissolved air flotation for microalgae harvesting: Influence of ionic strength on floc size and separation efficiency. J. Appl. Phycol. 37(1): 221-231. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-024-03385-w, more Rao, N.R.H.; Gonzalez-Torres, A.; Tamburic, B.; Wong, Y.W.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K.; Henderson, R.K.; Vandamme, D. (2023). The influence of physical floc properties on the separation of marine microalgae via alkaline flocculation followed by dissolved air flotation. Algal Research 71: 103024. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103024, more Zhao, Z.; Muylaert, K.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2023). Applying membrane technology in microalgae industry: a review. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 172: 113041. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.113041, more Hadiyanto, H.; Widayat, W.; Pratiwi, M.E.; Christwardana, M.; Muylaert, K. (2022). Effect of pH, cationic inducer, and clam shells as bio-flocculant in the optimization of the flocculation process for enhanced microalgae harvesting using response surface methodology. Environmental Pollutants & Bioavailability 34(1): 338-351. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/26395940.2022.2110520, more López-Pacheco, I.Y.; Rodas-Zuluaga, L.I.; Cuéllar-Bermúdez, S.P.; Hidalgo-Vázquez, E.; Molina-Vazquez, A.; Araújo, R.G.; Martinez-Ruiz, M.; Varjani, S.; Barceló, D.; Iqbal, H.M.N.; Parra-Saldivar, R. (2022). Revalorization of microalgae biomass for synergistic interaction and sustainable applications: bioplastic generation. Mar. Drugs 20(10): 601. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md20100601, more Zhao, Z.; Blockx, J.; Muylaert, K.; Thielemans, W.; Szymczyk, A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2022). Exploiting flocculation and membrane filtration synergies for highly energy-efficient, high-yield microalgae harvesting. Separation and Purification Technology 296: 121386. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121386, more Blockx, J.; Verfaillie, A.; Deschaume, O.; Bartic, C.; Muylaert, K.; Thielemans, W. (2021). Glycine betaine grafted nanocellulose as an effective and bio-based cationic nanocellulose flocculant for wastewater treatment and microalgal harvesting. Nanoscale Advances 3(14): 4133-4144. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d1na00102g, more Stock, W.; Callens, M.; Houwenhuyse, S.; Schols, R.; Goel, N.; Coone, M.; Theys, C.; Delnat, V.; Boudry, A.; Eckert, E.M.; Laspoumaderes, C.; Grossart, H.-P.; De Meester, L.; Stoks, R.; Sabbe, K.; Decaestecker, E. (2021). Human impact on symbioses between aquatic organisms and microbes. Aquat. Microb. Ecol. 87: 113-138. https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/ame01973, more Rodero, M.; Muñoz, R.; Lebrero, R.; Verfaillie, A.; Blockx, J.; Thielemans, W.; Muylaert, K.; Praveenkumar, R. (2020). Harvesting microalgal-bacterial biomass from biogas upgrading process and evaluating the impact of flocculants on their growth during repeated recycling of the spent medium. Algal Research 48: 101915. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.101915, more Verfaillie, A.; Blockx, J.; Praveenkumar, R.; Thielemans, W.; Muylaert, K. (2020). Harvesting of marine microalgae using cationic cellulose nanocrystals. Carbohydrate Polymers 240: 116165. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116165, more Blockx, J.; Verfaillie, A.; Thielemans, W.; Muylaert, K. (2018). Unravelling the mechanism of chitosan-driven flocculation of microalgae in seawater as a function of pH. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 6(9): 11273-11279. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b04802, more Deconinck, N.; Muylaert, K.; Ivens, W.; Vandamme, D. (2018). Innovative harvesting processes for microalgae biomass production: a perspective from patent literature. Algal Research 31: 469-477. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2018.01.016, more Flandroy, L.; Poutahidis, T.; Berg, G.; Clarke, G.; Dao, M.-C.; Decaestecker, E.; Furman, E.; Haahtela, T.; Massart, S.; Plovier, H.; Sanz, Y.; Rook, G. (2018). The impact of human activities and lifestyles on the interlinked microbiota and health of humans and of ecosystems. Sci. Total Environ. 627: 1018-1038. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.288, more Nguyen, T.K.H.; Deruyck, B.; Decaestecker, E.; Vandamme, D.; Muylaert, K. (2018). Natural chemicals produced by marine microalgae as predator deterrents can be used to control ciliates contamination in microalgal cultures. Algal Research 29: 297-303. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2017.11.036, more Syed, M.S.; Rafeie, M.; Vandamme, D.; Asadnia, M.; Henderson, R.; Taylor, R.A.; Warkiani, M.E. (2018). Selective separation of microalgae cells using inertial microfluidics. Bioresour. Technol. 252: 91-99. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.12.065, more Vandamme, D.; Gheysen, L.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2018). Impact of harvesting method on total lipid content and extraction efficiency for Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Separation and Purification Technology 194: 362-367. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2017.10.035, more Aleman-Nava, G.S.; Muylaert, K.; Cuellar Bermudez, S.P.; Depraetere, O.; Rittmann, B.; Parra-Saldivar, R.; Vandamme, D. (2017). Two-stage cultivation of Nannochloropsis oculata for lipid production using reversible alkaline flocculation. Bioresour. Technol. 226: 18-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.11.121, more Balduyck, L.; Stock, T.; Bijttebier, S.; Bruneel, C.; Jacobs, G.; Voorspoels, S.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2017). Integrity of the microalgal cell plays a major role in the lipolytic stability during wet storage. Algal Research 25: 516-524. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2017.06.013, more Esquivel-Hernandez, D.A.; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, J.; Cuéllar-Bermúdez, S.P.; Garcia-Perez, J.S.; Mancera-Andrade, E.I.; Núñez-Echevarría, J.E.; Ontiveros-Valencia, A.; Rostro-Alanis, M.; Garcia-Garcia, R.M.; Torres, J.A.; Chen, W.N.; Parra-Saldivar, R. (2017). Effect of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction parameters on the biological activities and metabolites present in extracts from Arthrospira platensis. Mar. Drugs 15(6): 174. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md15060174, more Esquivel-Hernandez, D.A.; Ibarra-Garza, I.P.; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, J.; Cuéllar-Bermúdez, S.P.; Rostro-Alanis, M.; Aleman-Nava, G.S.; Garcia-Perez, J.S.; Parra-Saldivar, R. (2017). Green extraction technologies for high-value metabolites from algae: a review. Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefining-Biofpr 11(1): 215-231. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1735, more Roselet, F.; Vandamme, D.; Roselet, M.; Muylaert, K.; Abreu, P.C. (2017). Effects of pH, salinity, biomass concentration, and algal organic matter on flocculant efficiency of synthetic versus natural polymers for harvesting microalgae biomass. Bioenergy Research 10(2): 427-437. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-016-9806-3, more Syed, M.S.; Rafeie, M.; Henderson, R.; Vandamme, D.; Asadnia, M.; Warkiani, M.E. (2017). A 3D-printed mini-hydrocyclone for high throughput particle separation: application to primary harvesting of microalgae. Lab on a Chip 17(14): 2459-2469. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7lc00294g, more Alam, M.A.; Vandamme, D.; Chun, W.; Zhao, X.; Foubert, I.; Wang, Z.; Muylaert, K.; Yuan, Z. (2016). Bioflocculation as an innovative harvesting strategy for microalgae. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology 15(4): 573-583. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11157-016-9408-8, more Lama, S.; Muylaert, K.; Karki, T.B.; Foubert, I.; Henderson, R.K.; Vandamme, D. (2016). Flocculation properties of several microalgae and a cyanobacterium species during ferric chloride, chitosan and alkaline flocculation. Bioresour. Technol. 220: 464-470. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.08.080, more Marbelia, L.; Mulier, M.; Vandamme, D.; Muylaert, K.; Szymczyk, A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2016). Polyacrylonitrile membranes for microalgae filtration: Influence of porosity, surface charge and microalgae species on membrane fouling. Algal Research 19: 128-137. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2016.08.004, more Asselman, J.; De Coninck, D.I.M.; Vandegehuchte, M.B.; Jansen, M.; Decaestecker, E.; De Meester, L.; Vanden Bussche, J.; Vanhaecke, L.; Janssen, C.R.; De Schamphelaere, K.A.C. (2015). Global cytosine methylation in Daphnia magna depends on genotype, environment, and their interaction. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 34(5): 1056-1061. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.2887, more Balduyck, L.; Veryser, C.; Goiris, K.; Bruneel, C.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2015). Optimization of a Nile Red method for rapid lipid determination in autotrophic, marine microalgae is species dependent. J. microbiol. methods 118: 152-158. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2015.09.009, more Goiris, K.; Van Colen, W.; Wilches, I.; Leon-Tamariz, F.; De Cooman, L.; Muylaert, K. (2015). Impact of nutrient stress on antioxidant production in three species of microalgae. Algal Research 7: 51-57. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2014.12.002, more Roselet, F; Vandamme, D.; Roselet, M; Muylaert, K.; Abreu, C (2015). Screening of commercial natural and synthetic cationic polymers for flocculation of freshwater and marine microalgae and effects of molecular weight and charge density. Algal Research 10: 183-188. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2015.05.008, more Vandamme, D.; Pohl, P.; Beuckels, A.; Foubert, I.; Brady, P.; Hewson, J.; Muylaert, K. (2015). Alkaline flocculation of Phaeodactylum tricornutum induced by brucite and calcite. Bioresour. Technol. 196: 656-661. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.042, more Vandamme, D.; Beuckels, A.; Markou, G.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K. (2015). Reversible flocculation of microalgae using magnesium hydroxide. Bioenergy Research 8(2): 716-725. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-014-9554-1, more Bilad, M.R.; Discart, V.; Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2014). Coupled cultivation and pre-harvesting of microalgae in a membrane photobioreactor (MPBR). Bioresour. Technol. 155: 410-417. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.026, more Ryckebosch, E.; Cuéllar Bermúdez, S.P.; Termote-Verhalle, R.; Bruneel, C.; Muylaert, K.; Parra-Saldivar, R.; Foubert, I. (2014). Influence of extraction solvent system on the extractability of lipid components from the biomass of Nannochloropsis gaditana. J. Appl. Phycol. 26(3): 1501-1510. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0189-y, more Ryckebosch, E.; Bruneel, C.; Termote-Verhalle, R.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2014). Influence of extraction solvent system on extractability of lipid components from different microalgae species. Algal Research 3: 36-43. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2013.11.001, more Ryckebosch, E.; Bruneel, C.; Termote-Verhalle, R.; Goiris, K.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I (2014). Nutritional evaluation of microalgae oils rich in omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as an alternative for fish oil. Food Chemistry 160: 393-400. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.03.087, more Beuckels, A.; Depraetere, O.; Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Smolders, E.; Muylaert, K. (2013). Influence of organic matter on flocculation of Chlorella vulgaris by calcium phosphate precipitation. Biomass Bioenerg. 54: 107-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.03.027, more Bilad, M.R.; Discart, V.; Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2013). Harvesting microalgal biomass using a magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) system: filtration performance and energy consumption. Bioresour. Technol. 138: 329-338. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.175, more Bruneel, C.; Lemahieu, C.; Fraeye, I.; Ryckebosch, E.; Muylaert, K.; Buyse, J.; Foubert, I. (2013). Impact of microalgal feed supplementation on omega-3 fatty acid enrichment of hen eggs. J. Funct. Foods 5(2): 897-904. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2013.01.039, more Ryckebosch, E.; Bruneel, C.; Termote-Verhalle, R.; Lemahieu, C.; Muylaert, K.; Van Durme, J.; Goiris, K.; Foubert, I. (2013). Stability of omega-3 LC-PUFA-rich photoautotrophic microalgal oils compared to commercially available omega-3 LC-PUFA oils. J. Agric. Food Chem. 61(42): 10145-10155. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf402296s, more Van Durme, J.; Goiris, K.; De Winne, A.; De Cooman, L.; Muylaert, K. (2013). Evaluation of the volatile composition and sensory properties of five species of microalgae. J. Agric. Food Chem. 61(46): 10881-10890. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf403112k, more Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K. (2013). Flocculation as a low-cost method for harvesting microalgae for bulk biomass production. Trends Biotechnol. 31(4): 233-239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.12.005, more Bilad, M.R.; Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2012). Harvesting microalgal biomass using submerged microfiltration membranes. Bioresour. Technol. 111: 343-352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.02.009, more Callens, M.; Gheerardyn, H.; Ndaro, S.G.M.; De Troch, M.; Vanreusel, A. (2012). Harpacticoid copepod colonization of coral fragments in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 92(7): 1535-1545. dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315411001597, more Fraeye, I.; Bruneel, C.; Lemahieu, C.; Buyse, J.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2012). Dietary enrichment of eggs with omega-3 fatty acids: a review. Food Res. Int. 48(2): 961-969. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2012.03.014, more Goiris, K.; Muylaert, K.; Fraeye, I.; Foubert, I.; De Brabanter, J.; De Cooman, L. (2012). Antioxidant potential of microalgae in relation to their phenolic and carotenoid content. J. Appl. Phycol. 24(6): 1477-1486. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-012-9804-6, more Goiris, K.; De Vreese, P.; De Cooman, L.; Muylaert, K. (2012). Rapid screening and guided extraction of antioxidants from microalgae using voltammetric methods. J. Agric. Food Chem. 60(30): 7359-7366. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf302345j, more Ryckebosch, E.; Bruneel, C.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2012). Microalgae as an alternative source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipid Technol. 24(6): 128-130. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lite.201200197, more Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Fraeye, I.; Muylaert, K. (2012). Influence of organic matter generated by Chlorella vulgaris on five different modes of flocculation. Bioresour. Technol. 124: 508-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.08.121, more Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Fraeye, I.; Meesschaert, B.; Muylaert, K. (2012). Flocculation of Chlorella vulgaris induced by high pH: Role of magnesium and calcium and practical implications. Bioresour. Technol. 105: 114-119. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.105, more Ryckebosch, E.; Muylaert, K.; Eeckhout, M.; Ruyssen, T.; Foubert, I. (2011). Influence of drying and storage on lipid and carotenoid stability of the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum. J. Agric. Food Chem. 59(20): 11063-11069. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf2025456, more Vandamme, D.; Pontes, S.C.V.; Goiris, K.; Foubert, I.; Pinoy, L.J.J.; Muylaert, K. (2011). Evaluation of electro-coagulation-flocculation for harvesting marine and freshwater microalgae. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 108(10): 2320-2329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.23199, more Sabbe, K.; Vanelslander, B.; Ribeiro, L.; Witkowski, A.; Muylaert, K.; Vyverman, W. (2010). A new genus, Pierrecomperia gen. nov., a new species and two new combinations in the marine diatom family Cymatosiraceae. Vie Milieu (1980) 60(3): 243-256, more Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Meesschaert, B.; Muylaert, K. (2010). Flocculation of microalgae using cationic starch. J. Appl. Phycol. 22(4): 525-530. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-009-9488-8, more Muylaert, K.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W. (2009). Changes in phytoplankton diversity and community composition along the salinity gradient of the Schelde estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands). Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 82(2): 335-340. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.01.024, more Muylaert, K.; Vandamme, D.; Meesschaert, B.; Foubert, I. (2009). Flocculation of microalgae using cationic starch. Phycologia 48(4): 63, more- Van de Moortel, B. (2025). Revealing the gut microbiome of orcas (Orcinus orca) as indicator of pollution impact pollution impact: Extended abstract: Brilliant Marine Research Idea 2024. KU Leuven: Leuven. 1 pp., more
- Gouwy, E.; Stock, W.; Knoop, J.; Decaestecker, E.; De Clerck, O. (2023). Enhancing the restoration success of Laminaria ochroleuca through microbiome manipulation, in: Mees, J. et al. Book of abstracts – VLIZ Marine Science Day, 1 March 2023, Bruges. VLIZ Special Publication, 90: pp. 62, more
- Van de Moortel, B.; Decaestecker, E. (2023). The interaction between the gut microbiome and environmental pollutants and its impact on the health of wild harbour porpoises, in: Mees, J. et al. Book of abstracts – VLIZ Marine Science Day, 1 March 2023, Bruges. VLIZ Special Publication, 90: pp. 106-107, more
- Bilsen, A.; Schols, R.; Delacauw, S.; Volckaert, F.; Deneudt, K.; Hablützel, P.I. (2022). Time and cost efficient DNA-based monitoring of marine non-indigenous species in the harbour of Ostend (Belgium) using nanopore sequencing, in: Mees, J. et al. Book of abstracts – VLIZ Marine Science Day, Online event 2 March 2022. VLIZ Special Publication, 88: pp. 36, more
- Sandra, M. (2018). De link tussen het klimaat en thermale stratificatie in tropische bergmeren. MSc Thesis. KU Leuven, Faculteit Wetenschappen, Departement Biologie, Labo Aquatic Biology: Leuven. vii, 66 + addendum pp., more
- Balduyck, L.; Goiris, K.; Bruneel, C.; Muylaert, K.; Foubert, I. (2015). Stability of valuable components during wet and dry storage, in: Kim, S.-K. Handbook of marine microalgae. pp. 81-89, more
- Beuckels, A.; Smolders, E.; Muylaert, K. (2014). Wastewater treatment using microalgae, in: Mees, J. et al. (Ed.) Book of abstracts – VLIZ Young Scientists’ Day. Brugge, Belgium, 7 March 2014. VLIZ Special Publication, 67: pp. 19, more
- Lancelot, C.; Muylaert, K. (2011). Trends in estuarine phytoplankton ecology, in: Wolanski, E. et al. Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science: 7. Functioning ecosystems at the land-ocean interface. pp. 5-15. dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374711-2.00703-8, more
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