(681e) One-Stage Astaxanthin Production in Haematococcus Pluvialis Cultured Under Stressful Conditions

Haematococcus pluvialis is the major source of natural astaxanthin which possesses anti-oxidative activity much higher than β-carotene and vitamin E. Currently, the commercial cultivation method of Haematococcus pluvialis for producing astaxanthin is done by a two-stage approach. In this study, a one-stage operation is proposed to cultivate H. pluvialis under stressful conditions (i.e., high carbon dioxide and strong light intensity) for astaxanthin production. First, microalgal cells with initial biomass of 0.003 g in 150 mL culture flask were supplied with high light intensity 100 μE/m2/s combined with 5% CO2. After cultivated for 14 days, the final biomass of dry weight was 0.1682 g in one-stage cultivation. Secondly, cells with the same 0.003 g initial biomass were supplied with light intensity 150 μE/m2/s combined with 10% CO2. After cultivated for 14 days, the final biomass of dry weight was 0.1609 g. When the CO2 concentration increased to 15%, which was nearly the discharges CO2 concentration form power plants, and light intensity augmented to 200 μE/m2/s, microalgal cells grew from the cell density 0.003 g initially to 0.131 g for 14-days culture period. These different culture conditions were achieved only in one-stage cultivation, and the final biomass obtained were all higher than the two-stage culture for the same initial density 0.003 g grew up to 0.085 g 14-day period and induced the accumulation of astaxanthin under high light intensity 200μE/m2/s for 6 days. In summary, one-stage cultivation of H. pluvialis is potential method for the production of astaxanthin as well as CO2 capture.