Enhancement of co-production of nutritional protein and carotenoids in Dunaliella salina using a two-phase cultivation assisted by nitrogen level and light intensity
Sui, Y.; Muys, M.; Van de Waal, D.B.; D'Adamo, S.; Vermeir, P.; Fernandes, T.V.; Vlaeminck, S.E. (2019). Enhancement of co-production of nutritional protein and carotenoids in Dunaliella salina using a two-phase cultivation assisted by nitrogen level and light intensity. Bioresour. Technol. 287: 121398. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121398 In: Bioresource Technology. Elsevier: Barking. ISSN 0960-8524; e-ISSN 1873-2976, more |  |
| Keywords | Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco, 1905 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Single-cell protein; Pigment; Nitrogen limitation; Food; Microalgae |
| Authors | | Top | - Sui, Y., more
- Muys, M., more
- Van de Waal, D.B.
- D'Adamo, S.
| - Vermeir, P., more
- Fernandes, T.V.
- Vlaeminck, S.E., more
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| Abstract | Microalga Dunaliella salina is known for its carotenogenesis. At the same time, it can also produce high-quality protein. The optimal conditions for D. salina to co-produce intracellular pools of both compounds, however, are yet unknown. This study investigated a two-phase cultivation strategy to optimize combined high-quality protein and carotenoid production of D. salina. In phase-one, a gradient of nitrogen concentrations was tested. In phase-two, effects of nitrogen pulse and high illumination were tested. Results reveal optimized protein quantity, quality (expressed as essential amino acid index EAAI) and carotenoids content in a two-phase cultivation, where short nitrogen starvation in phase-one was followed by high illumination during phase-two. Adopting this strategy, productivities of protein, EAA and carotenoids reached 22, 7 and 3 mg/L/d, respectively, with an EAAI of 1.1. The quality of this biomass surpasses FAO/WHO standard for human nutrition, and the observed level of β-carotene presents high antioxidant pro-vitamin A activity. |
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