Haematococcus pluvialis as a triacylglycerol source for biodiesel and valuable co-products

PAOLA SCODELARO; DAMIANI CECILIA,; MARTÍN LUCAS; CECILIA POPOVICH; GABRIELA SALVADOR; PATRICIA LEONARDI

Rosario

Congreso; L Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2014

SAIB

Haematococcus pluvialis is an oleaginous microalga which has been previously described as an important source of astaxanthin and, recently, of triacylglycerol (TAG) for biodiesel production. In this work, our purpose was to describe the effects of light-induced stress on H. pluvialis lipid metabolism. For this end, native strain from Bahía Blanca (Arg.) was grown in appropriate culture medium and maintained under control conditions or light-induced stress (300 μmol photons m-2 s-1) for 3, 6 and 12 days. After that, pigment content and lipid characterization were analyzed. Under light-induced stress conditions, microalgae cultures showed increased levels of astaxanthin and phytosterols, and diminished chlorophyll content. After 12 days of light-induced stress, H. pluvialis cultures showed the maximal TAG accumulation (568, 8%) with respect to control conditions. TAG accumulation was accompanied by a strong diminution in the protein content and in cell density. Fatty acid profile analyzed by GC was similar in all the assayed conditions and met biodiesel standards. Our results suggest that stress induced by light triggers TAG accumulation appropriate for biodiesel production and also the accretion of valuable co-products (astaxanthin and phytosterols).