Abstract
The cultivation of Arthrospira platensis in tubular photobioreactors (tPBRs) presents a promising approach for the commercial production of nutraceuticals and food products as it can achieve high productivity and effective process control. In closed photobioreactors, however, high amounts of photosynthetically produced oxygen can accumulate. So far, there has been a wide range of discussion on how dissolved oxygen concentrations (DOCs) affect bioprocess kinetics, and the subject has mainly been assessed empirically. In this study, we used photorespirometry to quantify the impact of DOCs on the growth kinetics and phycocyanin content of the widely cultivated cyanobacterium A. platensis. The photorespirometric routine revealed that the illumination intensity and cell dry weight concentration are important interconnected process parameters behind the impact that DOCs have on the bioprocess kinetics. Unfavorable process conditions such as low biomass concentrations or high illumination intensities yielded significant growth inhibition and reduced the phycocyanin content of A. platensis by up to 35%. In order to predict the biomass productivity of the large-scale cultivation of A. platensis in tPBRs, a simple process model was extended to include photoautotrophic oxygen production and accumulation in the tPBR to evaluate the performance of two configurations of a 5000 L tPBR.
Highlights
Around 3000–4000 metric tons per annum of Arthrospira platensis biomass is produced commercially worldwide by companies such as EarthriseNutritionals (Irvine, CA, USA) and the Siam Algae Company (Bangkok, Thailand) [1]
Biomass from A. platensis is commercially valued as a dietary supplement [1,2,5] since an intake of dried A. platensis has been proven to reduce blood cholesterol levels and improve patients’ lipid profiles [6,7]
This study aims to quantify the impact of high dissolved oxygen concentrations (DOCs) on the growth kinetics and cellular phycocyanin content of A. platensis PCC7345 using a lab-scale photorespirometric approach
Summary
Nutritionals (Irvine, CA, USA) and the Siam Algae Company (Bangkok, Thailand) [1]. This underlines the rising interest in A. platensis in the food [1,2] and feed [3,4] industry for its high nutritive value, such as a high protein content of 43–65% (w/w), and a balanced profile of essential amino acids [2]. Biomass from A. platensis is commercially valued as a dietary supplement [1,2,5] since an intake of dried A. platensis has been proven to reduce blood cholesterol levels and improve patients’ lipid profiles [6,7]. A. platensis further contains lipids that are of medical interest (6–13% [17]), such as polyunsaturated γ-linolenic acid, known
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
