Abstract
A novel strain of Coelastrella terrestris (Chlorophyta) was collected from red mucilage in a glacier foreland in Iceland. Its morphology showed characteristic single, ellipsoidal cells with apical wart-like wall thickenings. Physiological characterization revealed the presence of the rare keto-carotenoid adonixanthin, as well as high levels of unsaturated fatty acids of up to 85%. Initial screening experiments with different carbon sources for accelerated mixotrophic biomass growth were done. Consequently, a scale up to 1.25 L stirred photobioreactor cultivations yielded a maximum of 1.96 mg·L−1 adonixanthin in free and esterified forms. It could be shown that supplementing acetate to the medium increased the volumetric productivity after entering the nitrogen limitation phase compared to autotrophic control cultures. This study describes a promising way of biotechnological adonixanthin production using Coelastrella terrestris.
Highlights
Microalgae belong to the oldest forms of life on earth and are genetically highly diverse [1]
This study describes a promising way of biotechnological adonixanthin production using Coelastrella terrestris
Whole biomass can be used as a human nutraceutical food source since it is rich in vitamins, essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) [8]
Summary
Microalgae belong to the oldest forms of life on earth and are genetically highly diverse [1]. They are the largest group of microorganisms capable of photosynthesis, which enables them to harvest light energy for fixation of inorganic carbon dioxide (CO2) for biomass growth [2]. Whole biomass can be used as a human nutraceutical food source since it is rich in vitamins, essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) [8]. It can be processed for intended production of next-generation biofuels, or individual bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications can be extracted [9,10]. The primary carotenoids (PC) of the chloroplasts, such as β-carotene, lutein or zeaxanthin, are essential for photosynthesis and have industrial relevance in cosmetics and pharmaceutics [13,14]
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