Process optimization of fucoxanthin production with Tisochrysis lutea

To optimize fucoxanthin production in Tisochrysis lutea, the effect of different process parameters on fucoxanthin productivity (Pfx) were evaluated using batch and continuous experiments. In batch, the highest Pfx was found at 30 °C and 300 μmol m−2 s−1, allowing to design continuous experiments to optimize the dilution rate. The highest ever reported Pfx (9.43–9.81 mg L−1 d−1) was achieved at dilution rates of 0.53 and 0.80 d−1. Irradiance was varied (50–500 μmol m−2 s−1) to result in a range of absorbed light between 2.23 and 25.80 mol m−2 d−1 at a fixed dilution rate (0.53 d−1). These experiments validated the hypothesis that light absorbed can be used to predict fucoxanthin content, resulting in 2.23 mol m−2 d−1 triggering the highest fucoxanthin content (16.39 mg/g). The highest Pfx was found with 18.38 mol m−2 d−1. These results can be used to achieve high Pfx or fucoxanthin content during cultivation of Tisochrysis lutea.publishedVersionPaid Open Acces

Process optimization of fucoxanthin production with Tisochrysis lutea

To optimize fucoxanthin production in Tisochrysis lutea, the effect of different process parameters on fucoxanthin productivity (Pfx) were evaluated using batch and continuous experiments. In batch, the highest Pfx was found at 30 °C and 300 μmol m−2 s−1, allowing to design continuous experiments to optimize the dilution rate. The highest ever reported Pfx (9.43–9.81 mg L−1 d−1) was achieved at dilution rates of 0.53 and 0.80 d−1. Irradiance was varied (50–500 μmol m−2 s−1) to result in a range of absorbed light between 2.23 and 25.80 mol m−2 d−1 at a fixed dilution rate (0.53 d−1). These experiments validated the hypothesis that light absorbed can be used to predict fucoxanthin content, resulting in 2.23 mol m−2 d−1 triggering the highest fucoxanthin content (16.39 mg/g). The highest Pfx was found with 18.38 mol m−2 d−1. These results can be used to achieve high Pfx or fucoxanthin content during cultivation of Tisochrysis lutea

Fucoxanthin production from Tisochrysis lutea and Phaeodactylum tricornutum at industrial scale

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid with high market value. Currently, seaweeds are the primary feedstock for fucoxanthin industrial production. However, marine microalgae reach 5 to 10 times higher concentrations (2.24 to 26.6 mg g-1 DW), and are considered a promising source. In this work, two marine microalgae were produced at industrial scale to evaluate biomass and fucoxanthin production; Phaeodactylum tricornutum for autumn/winter and Tisochrysis lutea for spring/summer. Both strains were grown in 15 m3 tubular flow-through photobioreactors, for 170 consecutive days, in semi-continuous cultivation regime. The average volumetric biomass productivities of P. tricornutum and T. lutea were 0.11 and 0.09 g DW L-1 day-1. P. tricornutum reached higher maximum biomass concentration (2.87 g DW L-1) than T. lutea (1.47 g DW L-1). This is the first work in literature reporting a long-term industrial production of T. lutea. P. tricornutum fucoxanthin content ranged between 0.2 and 0.7 % DW, while T. lutea between 0.2 and 0.6 % DW. The fucoxanthin content was correlated with the irradiation (MJ m-2) and the biomass concentration in the photobioreactor (g L-1). Overall, this work shows possible scenarios for fucoxanthin production from microalgae, increasing the window to supply the industry with steady production throughout the year.</jats:p