Abstract
The sarcinoid alga PY02 is a newly isolated soil alga native to western Thailand. In this study PY02 is described, the carotenoid profile of the green and red forms of the algal cells are compared, and the effect of nitrogen reduction and media volume on ketocarotenoid production are reported. Partial sequences of the genes from elongation factor Tu (tufA) and 18S rRNA reveal that the alga is from the Chlorosarcinopsis genus. Growth studies demonstrated that Chlorosarcinopsis PY02 is capable of photoautotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth. A gradual change in colony colour from green to red was observed over a period of four weeks under mixotrophic conditions. Pigment analysis of lyophilized red cells using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with Photo Diode Array Detection (PDA), showed for the first time that an alga from the genus Chlorosarcinopsis is capable of producing ketocarotenoids such as adonixanthin and 3-OH-echinenone, with canthaxanthin as the dominant pigment. Interestingly, a reduction of nitrogen in the medium exerts a positive effect on the rate of colour change from one month to less than seven days. Enhancements of the canthaxanthin content from 520 to 1504 or 1427 µg·gDW−1 were detected under 50% and 10% nitrogen content, respectively. An increase of 16% in biomass production of PY02 was unexpectedly detected from a 50% nitrogen reduction under mixotrophic culture. Notably, in liquid mixotrophic media with volumes of 15, 30 and 60 mL, the lowest volume produced a significantly higher biomass and canthaxanthin content.
Highlights
Ketocarotenoids, such as astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are commercially important carotenoids.These pigments have applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and are used in the aquaculture and poultry industries [1,2,3]
The detection of ketocarotenoids in PY02 represents the first report for a Chlorosarcinopsis species, and offers a new biological source of these compounds but will be of value in basic research aimed at understanding the complexity of carotenoid biosynthetic amongst algae [28]
The discovery that PY02 is capable of utilizing exogenous acetate as a carbon source and can, grow under mixotrophic conditions enhances the potential of this species for carotenoid production
Summary
Ketocarotenoids, such as astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are commercially important carotenoids. These pigments have applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and are used in the aquaculture and poultry industries [1,2,3]. UV light-induced tumours [2,3], benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate and liver tumours [4,5,6], atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease [7] They strengthen the body’s immune system [8,9,10], and have anti-ageing [11] and anti-inflammatory properties [10,12]. Biology 2018, 7, 17 colouring and health benefits They enhance the yolk colour in laying hens through their ability to be digested and accumulated in the yolk [13]. There are only a few organisms that have the ability to synthesize and accumulate ketocarotenoids; principally certain bacteria [16], yeast [17] and algae [18]
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