Enhancing growth, phycoerythrin production, and pigment composition in the red alga Colaconema sp. Through optimal environmental conditions in an indoor system. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Meng-Chou; Yeh, Han-Yang; Jhang, Fu-Jie; Lee, Po-Tsang; Lin, Yung-Kai; Nan, Fan-Hua
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 333(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Cultivation strategy -- Colaconema sp. -- Environmental conditions -- Phycoerythrin -- Pigment composition; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Strategic culture conditions were used to improve PE extraction. Algae growth increased 7–9 fold after optimization of the culture system. A maximum 9–10 mg g −1 TPBP could be obtained. PE accounts for up to 60%–65% of TPBP during strategic cultivation. Strategic cultivation supported the technology's economic feasibility. Abstract: Phycoerythrin (PE) is a compound with strong potential for both basic research and industrial applications, but short supply and high prices have so far hindered its development. One common problem is a shortage of biomass for extraction. The aim of the present study was to determine a cultivation strategy (optimizing temperature, irradiance, photoperiod, and light quality) to produce greater biomass and higher PE concentrations in the alga Colaconema sp. We found that an optimized culture process could increase algae growth 7–9 fold while allowing extraction of 9–10 mg g −1 total phycobiliproteins, containing 60%–65% PE. Low energy costs make this approach economically feasible and competitive when compared with existing methods. Our results suggest an improved strategy for the large-scale production of PE and offer valuable applications in the algae industry.