Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop an effective integrated cultivation system for Haematococcus pluvialis as a source of bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin, lutein, proteins, and fatty acids (FAs). The Chlorophyta H. pluvialis was cultivated in a vertical bubble column photobioreactor (VBC-PBR) under batch mode, allowing switching from green to red phase for astaxanthin induction. The combined effect of light intensity and nutrients on bioactive compound formation was investigated. Results showed that growth under lower nutrients availability and light intensity led to a higher concentration of biomass. Growth under high light intensity with an appropriate concentration of nitrate, sulfate, phosphate and magnesium led to ~85% and ~58% higher production of total carotenoids and fatty acids, respectively. Under high stress conditions, ~90% nitrate and phosphate consumption were observed.
Highlights
Microalgae are eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in brackish water, fresh water, and sea water
During the “green phase” up to 1% of lutein and around 20–25% of fatty acids on dry biomass weight (DBW) can accumulate, while in the “red phase” around 1–5% of astaxanthin and Antioxidants 2020, 9, 825; doi:10.3390/antiox9090825
The process for the cultivation of H. pluvialis was performed during the green phase in a vertical bubble column photobioreactor (VBC-PBR)
Summary
Microalgae are eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in brackish water, fresh water, and sea water. Microalgae use carbon dioxide (CO2 ) as a carbon source and solar energy is converted into chemical energy to produce new biomass. H. pluvialis is a promising source of bioactive compounds like carotenoids, proteins, and fatty acids (FAs), in particular astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant [2]. The life-cycle of H. pluvialis consists of two phases: the first is known as the “green vegetative phase”, while the second is referred to as “red non-motile encysted phase” and occurs under stress conditions [4,5]. During the “green phase” up to 1% of lutein and around 20–25% of fatty acids on dry biomass weight (DBW) can accumulate, while in the “red phase” around 1–5% of astaxanthin and Antioxidants 2020, 9, 825; doi:10.3390/antiox9090825 www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants
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