title: A novel potential source of β-carotene: Eustigmatos cf. polyphem (Eustigmatophyceae) and pilot β-carotene production in bubble column and flat panel photobioreactors.
abstract: Carotenoids profile of the unicellular Eustigmatos cf. polyphem (Eustigmatophyceae) and β-carotene production of the microalga in bubble column and large flat panel bioreactors were studied. The microalga which contained β-carotene, violaxanthin and vaucheriaxanthin as the major carotenoids accumulated large amount of β-carotene. The β-carotene production of this microalga in the bubble column bioreactor was considerable, with the maximum intracellular β-carotene content reaching 60.76 mg g(-1), biomass reaching 9.2 g L(-1), and β-carotene yield up to 470.2 mg L(-1). The β-carotene productions in two large flat panel bioreactors were relatively lower, whereas over 100 mg β-carotene L(-1) was achieved. Besides, high light intensity helped to accumulate intracellular β-carotene and biomass. Deficient nitrate supply inhibited biomass growth, though it helped to accumulate β-carotene. Our results first proved that E. cf. polyphem was a potential source and producer of β-carotene, making it an interesting subject for further β-carotene study or commercial exploration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Huangpu Avenue No. 601, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Aifen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chengwu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D058433:Photobioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D002734:Chlorophyll