title: Synergistic enhancement of glycogen production in Arthrospira platensis by optimization of light intensity and nitrate supply.
abstract: Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, a fast-growing halophilic cyanobacterium able to accumulate glycogen, was investigated for its feasibility to serve as feedstock for fermentative production of biofuels and chemicals. The culture conditions most appropriate for glycogen production were identified. Glycogen production was maximized by the depleting nitrate source under a high light intensity of 700 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1). With optimal control of both light intensity and nitrate supply, glycogen production of A. platensis reached nearly 1.03 g L(-1) (a glycogen productivity of 0.29 g L(-1) d(-1)), which is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest α-polyglucan (glycogen or starch) production performance ever reported in microalgae. The outcome of this work supports A. platensis as a promising carbohydrate source for biorefinery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Shimpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Tomohisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasunuma
authors.forename: Jo-Shu
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000382:microbiology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006003:Glycogen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D053545:Spirulina / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D009566:Nitrates; D006003:Glycogen