Compositions and methods for collecting algae

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions containing Bacillus sp., optionally with magnetite, useful in methods for collecting algae. The invention also relates to methods for collecting algae by contacting algae and bare maghemite and compositions thereof.

1 . A composition comprising an alga and an isolated  Bacillus  sp. comprising a nucleic acid molecule having a polynucleotide sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         2 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for collecting algae, comprising contacting an algae culture and an isolated  Bacillus  sp. comprising a nucleic acid molecule having a polynucleotide sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 to produce the composition of  claim 1 , and forming an algae aggregate. 
     
     
         6 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising magnetite and an isolated  Bacillus  sp. RP1137. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing a  Bacillus /magnetite conjugate, comprising contacting an isolated  Bacillus  sp. RP1137 and magnetite to produce the composition of  claim 11 , and collecting the conjugated  Bacillus /magnetite. 
     
     
         14 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for collecting algae, comprising contacting the  Bacillus /magnetite conjugate of  claim 13  and an algae culture, and forming an algae aggregate. 
     
     
         17 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the salinity of the culture is 0 ppt to 156 ppt. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the temperature of the culture is 10° C. to 40° C. 
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the culture contains divalent cations. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetite is unoxidized powder. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the culture contains 1 mM to 30 mM calcium ions. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the salinity of the culture is 5 ppt to 200 ppt. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the temperature of the culture is 5° C. to 50° C. 
     
     
         33 . A method of producing maghemite, comprising heating magnetite powder, and oxidizing the magnetite to form maghemite. 
     
     
         34 . A composition comprising an alga and bare maghemite, wherein the maghemite is produced by the method of  claim 33 . 
     
     
         35 . A method for collecting algae, comprising binding algae in a culture to bare maghemite and forming an algae aggregate, wherein the binding of algae to bare maghemite is not reversible by altering the pH. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the binding of algae to bare maghemite is not pH sensitive. 
     
     
         37 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the algae culture is an artificial medium or fresh, brackish or salt water. 
     
     
         45 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the bare maghemite is produced by heating magnetite powder, and oxidizing the magnetite to form maghemite. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the bare maghemite has an average particle diameter by mass (D50) of greater than 10 μm to 500 μm. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the bare maghemite has an average particle diameter by mass (D50) of 1 nm to 1 μm.