Production of ketocarotenoids by microalgae |
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Authors: | P Z Margalith |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel e-mail: forpmar@techunix.technion.ac.il, IL |
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Abstract: | Among the highly valued ketocarotenoids employed for food coloration, astaxanthin is probably the most important. This carotenoid
may be produced biotechnologically by a number of microorganisms, and the most promising seems to be the freshwater flagellate
Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae), which accumulate astaxanthin in their aplanospores. Many physiological aspects of the transition of the
flagellate into aplanospores have been described. Mixotrophic cultivation and suitable irradiance may result in fairly good
yields (up to 40 mg/l; 43 mg/g cell dry weight) within a reasonable time, under laboratory conditions. In order to compete
with synthetic astaxanthin, suitable scaling-up is required. However, large-scale production in open ponds has proved unsatisfactory
because of severe contamination problems. A selective medium might overcome this difficulty. Further research for the development
of suitable strains is thus warranted.
Received: 8 July 1998 / Received revision: 12 November 1998 / Accepted: 14 November 1998 |
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