Production of Carotenoids and Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated Under Mixotrophy Using Brewery Wastewater: Effect of Light Intensity and Cultivation Time
Source abstract
Abstract
The cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis is pivotal in the biotechnological production of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with extensive applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and aquaculture industries. Astaxanthin accumulation is known to be enhanced under stress conditions. Recent advancements have highlighted the efficacy of mixotrophic cultivation in enhancing both biomass production and carotenoid accumulation. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of mixotrophic conditions induced by BWW on biomass growth and carotenoid accumulation. To this aim, experiments carried out with different light intensities and cultivation time were specifically designed. This study displays the effective production of carotenoids by H. pluvialis using brewery wastewater (BWW) as an organic source able to sustain mixotrophic conditions. Various ratios of BWW were combined with the BG11 medium. When H. pluvialis was cultivated solely in BWW or in the control medium BG11, both the biomass and astaxanthin contents were reduced compared to the higher values obtained in their blended mixtures. In particular, the BWW-BG11 1:1 system exhibited the highest values of biomass (5.46 g L−1) and astaxanthin content (2.32%) compared to both undiluted BWW (3.34 g L−1 and 1.95%) and the control BG11 (3.65 g L−1 and 0.65%), respectively. BWW significantly boosted the growth rate and metabolic activity of H. pluvialis. This dual approach not only accelerates biomass accumulation but also enhances the synthesis of carotenoids, particularly astaxanthin. The integration of mixotrophic strategies into H. pluvialis cultivation systems presents a promising avenue for optimizing the commercial production of astaxanthin, ensuring higher yields and cost-effectiveness.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Algal biology and biofuel production · Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth · Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Teregroup Srl, via David Livingstone 37, 41122 Modena, Italy
Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Interdepartmental Center of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Algaltek SARL, R&D Departments, Route de la Petite-Glane 26, 1566 Saint Aubin, Switzerland
Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
College of Life and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou 233100, China
Funding
Qingdao Municipality Program Research Bursary · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Development Planning of Shandong Province
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