Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale

Vozelj, Pia

doi:10.21256/zhaw-28451

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28451

Publication type:	Master thesis
Title:	Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale
Authors:	Vozelj, Pia
Advisors / Reviewers:	Refardt, Dominik Egloff, Sophia Griessler Bulc, Tjaša
DOI:	10.21256/zhaw-28451
Extent:	29
Issue Date:	2023
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Winterthur
Language:	English
Subject (DDC):	579: Microbiology
Abstract:	The cultivation of microalgae is a promising way of obtaining natural carotenoids. However, their production is not yet cost-effectively sufficient to compete with current synthetic methods. To overcome crucial techno-economic challenges, studies are being conducted for selection of the ideal species with superior characteristics. One of the leading candidates is Chromochloris zofingiensis. Due to fast growth rate, robustness and tolerance to adverse culture conditions, it has the potential for commercial production. To make that happen, the cultivation needs to be scaled up in an open system. With this study, the feasibility of outdoor cultivation of Chromochloris zofingiensis was tested. Different media, nitrogen sources and media concentrations were investigated on a laboratory scale. Threefold BBM+3N achieved highest growth and was used for cultivation on an open thin-layer photobioreactor. Cultivation was proven to be successful, achieving high biomass density (11.75 g L-1) and biomass productivity (1.02 g L-1 d-1). Microalgal culture showed promising results, all while withstanding fluctuating outdoor conditions. The final amount of accumulated astaxanthin was 3.63 mg/g. With a laboratory experiment astaxanthin production was compared in BBM+3N and stressful conditions (high salinity and reduced nitrogen availability) after achieving high biomass. The combination of high salinity and nitrogen reduction (4.48 mg/g) enabled microalgae to produce more astaxanthin than the control (3.56 mg/g).
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/28451
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	Life Sciences and Facility Management
Appears in collections:	Masterarbeiten Umwelt und Natürliche Ressourcen

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Vozelj, P. (2023). Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale [Master’s thesis, ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften]. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28451

Vozelj, P. (2023) Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale. Master’s thesis. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28451.

P. Vozelj, “Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale,” Master’s thesis, ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Winterthur, 2023. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-28451.

VOZELJ, Pia, 2023. Cultivation of the carotenoid-producing microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis at laboratory and pilot scale. Master’s thesis. Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften

Vozelj, Pia. 2023. “Cultivation of the Carotenoid-Producing Microalgae Chromochloris Zofingiensis at Laboratory and Pilot Scale.” Master’s thesis, Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28451.

Vozelj, Pia. Cultivation of the Carotenoid-Producing Microalgae Chromochloris Zofingiensis at Laboratory and Pilot Scale. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, 2023, https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28451.