title: Evaluation of factors promoting astaxanthin production by a unicellular green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis, with fractional factorial design.
abstract: Factors affecting the astaxanthin production by a unicellular green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis UTEX 16, were evaluated with sequential fractional factorial design. To simulate an actual production mode, a two-stage process was adapted for astaxanthin production: the alga was first cultivated under vegetative growth conditions, and then astaxanthin production was induced by applying various induction methods. A high dose of irradiation was most effective for the production of astaxanthin both in weight (mg/g) and in cellular (pg/cell) contents. A combination of nitrogen deficiency and acetate addition also significantly increased the astaxanthin content of cells on a dry weight basis. Meanwhile, the acetate addition alone increased only the cellular content of astaxanthin. Although the addition of ferrous ion alone had a negative effect on the weight content of astaxanthin, simultaneous addition of ferrous ion and acetate was effective for increasing the cellular content of astaxanthin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31, Hyoja-dong, Pohang, Korea 790-784.
authors.forename: Y E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Y-S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D018533:Biomass; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D012107:Research Design; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; C005948:astaxanthine; D007501:Iron; D009584:Nitrogen