Heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae for pigment production: A review

Jianjun Hu; Dillirani Nagarajan; Quanguo Zhang; Jo-Shu Chang; Duu-Jong Lee

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.09.009

Heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae for pigment production: A review

Biotechnol Adv. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):54-67. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.09.009. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

Authors

Jianjun Hu¹, Dillirani Nagarajan², Quanguo Zhang¹, Jo-Shu Chang³, Duu-Jong Lee⁴

Affiliations

¹ Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agricultural University, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
² Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: changjs@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
⁴ Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomass Energy, Henan Agricultural University, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450002, China; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan. Electronic address: djlee@ntu.edu.tw.

PMID: 28947090
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.09.009

Abstract

Pigments (mainly carotenoids) are important nutraceuticals known for their potent anti-oxidant activities and have been used extensively as high end health supplements. Microalgae are the most promising sources of natural carotenoids and are devoid of the toxic effects associated with synthetic derivatives. Compared to photoautotrophic cultivation, heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae in well-controlled bioreactors for pigments production has attracted much attention for commercial applications due to overcoming the difficulties associated with the supply of CO₂ and light, as well as avoiding the contamination problems and land requirements in open autotrophic culture systems. In this review, the heterotrophic metabolic potential of microalgae and their uses in pigment production are comprehensively described. Strategies to enhance pigment production under heterotrophic conditions are critically discussed and the challenges faced in heterotrophic pigment production with possible alternative solutions are presented.

Keywords: Astaxanthin; Carotenoids; Heterotrophic metabolism; Lutein; Microalgae; Phycocyanin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bioreactors*
Genetic Engineering
Microalgae*
Pigments, Biological*

Substances

Pigments, Biological