In:
Journal of Applied Phycology, Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract:
Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that can be used for different applications, for example as an immunomodulator in food or feed or for managing high cholesterol levels. Certain microalgae species use beta-glucans as energy storage, accumulating them during nutrient depletion. In this study, we examined and compared beta-glucan production during nitrogen depletion in three different algae species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum , Monodopsis subterranea and Cylindrotheca fusiformis, grown in artificially illuminated flat panel airlift reactors, in order to determine the most promising microalgae species for beta-glucan production. Co-products such as fatty acids (especially eicosapentaenoic acid) and the carotenoid fucoxanthin (not produced by M. subterranea ) were also considered. Biomass analysis showed that P. tricornutum cultures reached a maximal beta-glucan content of 317 ± 9 mg g DW −1 , M. subterranea cultures reached 188 ± 6 mg g DW −1 and C. fusiformis cultures reached 129 ± 13 mg g DW −1 . Furthermore, beta-glucan production was faster in P. tricornutum cultures. However, the maximum volumetric beta-glucan concentration reached was higher in M. subterranea cultures compared to P. tricornutum cultures as M. subterranea cultures produced more biomass during nitrogen depletion. In terms of possible co-products, P. tricornutum produced fucoxanthin and EPA, whereas M. subterranea did not produce fucoxanthin. However, M. subterranea exhibited a higher EPA content, which remained above 45 mg g −1 even after several days of nitrogen depletion. Overall, our results suggest that P. tricornutum and M. subterranea are both suitable species for beta-glucan production in flat panel airlift reactors.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0921-8971
,
1573-5176
DOI:
10.1007/s10811-023-03026-8
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1002324-0
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1477703-4
SSG:
12
SSG:
14
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