Multistage operation of airlift photobioreactor for increased production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis.
An internally radiating photobioreactor was applied for the production of astaxanthin using the unicellular green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. The cellular morphology of H. pluvialis was significantly affected by the intensity of irradiance of the photobioreactor. Small green cells were widespread under lower light intensity, whereas big reddish cells were predominant under high light intensity. For these reasons, growth reflected by cell number or dry weight varied markedly with light conditions. Even under internal illumination of the photobioreactor, light penetration was significantly decreased as algal cells grew. Therefore, we employed a multistage process by gradually increasing the internal illuminations for astaxanthin production. Our results revealed that a multistage process might be essential to the successful operation of a photobioreactor for astaxnthin production using H. pluvialis.
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea.
Yoon-E
YE
Choi
Yeoung-Sang
YS
Yun
Jong Moon
JM
Park
Ji-Won
JW
Yang
D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D058433:Photobioreactors; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000096:biosynthesis
D024341:Xanthophylls; C005948:astaxanthine