Mixotrophic Growth of Astaxanthin-rich Alga Haematococcus pluvialis using Refined Glycerol as Substrate: Batch and Fed-batch Cultivations

• Main Authors: Pongsathorn DECHATIWONGSE, Wanna CHOORIT
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Walailak University 2019-11-01
• Series: Walailak Journal of Science and Technology
• Subjects: Astaxanthin; fed-batch; Haematococcus pluvialis; mixotrophic; refined glycerol
• Online Access: http://wjst.wu.ac.th/index.php/wjst/article/view/7354

The green alga Heamatococcus pluvialis has been known as a prominent astaxanthin producer. The algal cultures grew effectively under autotrophic (0.06 g DCW L-1 day-1) as well as mixotrophic conditions (0.08 – 0.09 g DCW L-1 day-1) in presence of refined glycerol as organic carbon substrate, but virtually did not grow under heterotrophic condition. The effect of mixotrophically grown vegetative cells upon astaxanthin production was first time examined and the highest astaxanthin content of 3.52 % wt wt-1 was found from cells cultivated in presence of 7 g L-1 refined glycerol. Under fed-batch operation, by adding medium containing 2 g L-1 refined glycerol every six days, it was possible to extend the cultivation duration up to 24 consecutive days. However, after three cycles of medium addition, astaxanthin content within induced cells decreased. Under our fed-batch study, the highest astaxanthin content was found to be 2.97 % wt wt-1.