A new approach for cultivating the cyanobacterium Nostoc calcicola (MACC-612) to produce biomass and bioactive compounds using a thin-layer raceway pond

CELIS-PLÁ, PAULA S.M.; REARTE T.A.; NEORI A.; MASOJÍDEK J.; BONOMI J.; ÁLVAREZ-GÓMEZ F.; RANGLOVÁ, KAROLÍNA; CARMO DA SILVA, J.; ABDALA-DÍAZ, R.T.; GOMEZ-SERRANO C.; CAPORGNO, MARTÍN; TORZILLO, GIUSEPPE; SILVA BENAVIDES, A.M.; RALPH P.; FAVERO MASSOCATO T.; ATZMÜLLER, RICHARD; VEGA J.; CHAVEZ P.; FELIX LOPEZ FIGUEROA

ALGAL RESEARCH

ELSEVIER B.V.

Año: 2021 vol. 59 p. 1 - 15

2211-9264

The culture of microalgae and cyanobacteria in open systems has been improved through the novel approach of a thin-layer raceway ponds. The importance of studying mass cultivation of the cyanobacterium Nostoc calcicola lies in its biotechnological potential as a source of bioactive compounds for food and non-food applications. These compounds include polysaccharides, mycosporine-like amino acids and phycocyanin. N. calcicola was cultured outdoor in thin-layer raceway pond being the biomass production, physiological status, photosynthetic activity, and biochemical composition e monitored through the culture period for 5 days. The biomass, as the maximal quantum yield, maximal electron transport rate (ETRmax) and photosynthetic efficiency (αETR) increased through the experimental period showing the optimal operation of thin-layer raceway pond since the light can penetrate deeper in the thinner culture layer and thus more light is available to the cells. Oxygen level in the culture increased through the time but no photoinhibtion was produced indication optinal optimal action of non photochemical mecansims. N. calcicola presented high total internal carbon content and through the culture. Chl a increase whereas N compounds as phycocyanin decreased. Among UV absorbing compounds, Polyphenols, Mycosporine-like amino acids, as shinorine, and other unknow UV-A absorbing compounds were detected. They presented positive correlation to antioxidant activity. Thus the optimal accumulation of biomass and the accumulation of bio-active compounds with antioxidant capacity show possible cosmeceutical applications of N. calcicola.