Abstract
The factors controlling biomass production and the synthesis of astaxanthin esters in the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis (CCAP 34/7) have been investigated using a statistical approach employing response surface methodology (RSM). The culture conditions required for optimal growth and carotenogenesis in this alga are very different. Of particular importance is the photon flux density: for growth the optimum is 50–60 μmol m−2 s−1 whereas the optimum for astaxanthin synthesis is much higher at ∼-1600 μmol m−2 s−1. The addition of low levels of NaCl to the medium also stimulates to a small extent synthesis of astaxanthin, but photon flux density remains the overriding factor. The optimal temperature for this strain is quite low at 14–15 °C. RSM has been shown to be a rapid and effective technique leading to the optimisation of algal culture conditions. This statistical approach can be applied readily to the majority of microalgae and their products.
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Harker, M., Tsavalos, A.J. & Young, A.J. Use of response surface methodology to optimise carotenogenesis in the microalga, Haematococcus pluvialis . J Appl Phycol 7, 399–406 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003797
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003797