Combined Production of Astaxanthin and β-Carotene in a New Strain of the Microalga Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 (IPPAS C-2045) Cultivated in Photobioreactor

Abstract

Carotenoids astaxanthin and β-carotene are widely used natural antioxidants. They are key components of functional food, cosmetics, drugs and animal feeding. They hold leader positions on the world carotenoid market. In current work, we characterize the new strain of the green microalga Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 and propose the method of its culturing in a bubble-column photobioreactor for simultaneous production of astaxanthin and β-carotene. Culture was monitored by light microscopy and pigment kinetics. Fatty acid profile was evaluated by tandem gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pigments were obtained by the classical two-stage scheme of autotrophic cultivation. At the first, vegetative, stage biomass accumulation occurred. Maximum specific growth rate and culture productivity at this stage were 100–200 mg∙L−1∙day−1, and 0.33 day−1, respectively. At the second, inductive, stage carotenoid synthesis was promoted. Maximal carotenoid fraction in the biomass was 2.2–2.4%. Based on chromatography data, astaxanthin and β-carotene constituted 48 and 13% of total carotenoid mass, respectively. Possible pathways of astaxanthin synthesis are proposed based on carotenoid composition. Collectively, a new strain B. aggregatus BM5/15 is a potential biotechnological source of two natural antioxidants, astaxanthin and β-carotene. The results give the rise for further works on optimization of B. aggregatus cultivation on an industrial scale.

Differential Responses to UV-A Stress Recorded in Carotenogenic Microalgae Haematococcus rubicundus, Bracteacoccus aggregatus, and Deasonia sp.

“…Differential absorbance spectra (ΔD(λ)) in the UV range (250–400 nm) were presented as ΔD(λ) = D(λ) − D(λ) 0 day , where D(λ) 0 day is the optical density at the wavelength λ in the control (initial day of cultivation). The standard spectral indices (Car/Chl and Chl a / b ) were calculated as was previously described [ 36 ].…”

“…(including former Scotiellopsis ) [ 22 , 33 , 34 , 35 ], Bracteacoccus spp. [ 33 , 36 ], Chromochloris zofingiensis (formerly Chlorella zofingiensis ) [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], Sanguina spp. [ 15 , 16 ], Deasonia sp.…”

Identification and Characterization of a New Microalga Dysmorphococcus globosus-HI from the Himalayan Region as a Potential Source of Natural Astaxanthin

“…A TLC- pre-coated silica gel H60 thin layer chromatography plate (20 cm × 20 cm Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) was used for the separation of different pigments according to Kobayashi et al [ 73 ] and Chekanov et al [ 74 ] At room temperature, a known weight (15 mg) of the different algal samples was extracted in 2 mL acetone (Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co., St. Louis, MI, USA), and vortexed with a glass bead for 4 min, centrifuged for 5 min, and this process was repeated until the cell debris became colorless. The algal pigment extracts were dried under N2 gas flow under low light conditions.…”

Microalgae cultivation: photobioreactors, CO2 utilization, and value‐added products of industrial importance

“…accompanied by dilution of the culture not only increased the nitrogen deficiency but also enhanced the light penetration, resulting in the carotenoid content of 390 mg L −1 . Recently, a new strain Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 was characterised and cultivated using bubble‐column PBR that can simultaneously produce 2.2–2.4% of total carotenoids, of which beta‐carotene and astaxanthin comprised about 13% and 48%, respectively 163 . In another attempt, Borowiak et al .…”

“…Recently, a new strain Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 was characterised and cultivated using bubble-column PBR that can simultaneously produce 2.2-2.4% of total carotenoids, of which beta-carotene and astaxanthin comprised about 13% and 48%, respectively. 163 In another attempt, Borowiak et al cultivated H. pluvialis in a modular airlift-type PBR with red, blue, and white LEDs. The light and chemical-mediated stress in this microalga led to the accumulation of 3.2% astaxanthin.…”