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Effects of iron electrovalence and species on growth and astaxanthin production of Haematococcus pluvialis

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Abstract

To increase the cell concentration and the accumulation of astaxanthin in the cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis, effects of different iron electrovalencies (Fe2+-EDTA and Fe3+-EDTA) and species (Fe-EDTA, Fe(OH) 32xx and FeC6H5O7) addition on cell growth and accumulation of astaxanthin were studied. Results show that different iron electrovalencies have various effects on cell growth and astaxanthin accumulation of H. pluvialis. Compared with Fe3+-EDTA, Fe2+-EDTA stimulate more effectively the formation of astaxanthin. The maximum astaxanthin content (30.70 mg/g biomass cell) was obtained under conditions of 18 μmol/L Fe2+-EDTA, despite the lower cell density (2.3×105 cell/ml) in such condition. Fe3+-EDTA is more effective than Fe2+-EDTA in improving the cell growth. Especially, the maximal steady-state cell density, 2.9×105 cell/ml was obtained at 18 μmol/L Fe3+-EDTA addition. On the other hand, all the various species of iron (EDTA-Fe, Fe(OH) 32xx , FeC6H5O7) are capable to improve the growth of the algae and astaxanthin production. Among the three iron species, FeC6H5O7 performed the best. Under the condition of a higher concentration (36 μmol/L) of FeC6H5O7, the cell density and astaxanthin production is 2 and 7 times higher than those of iron-limited group, respectively. The present study demonstrates that the effects of the stimulation with different iron species increased in the order of FeC6H5O7, Fe(OH) 32xx and EDTA-Fe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China

    Minggang Cai  (蔡明刚), Zhe Li  (李哲) & Anxiang Qi  (齐安翔)

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  1. Minggang Cai  (蔡明刚)
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  2. Zhe Li  (李哲)
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  3. Anxiang Qi  (齐安翔)
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Correspondence to Minggang Cai  (蔡明刚).

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Supported by Xiamen Scientific and Technologic Projects (No. 3052Z20031086), Xiamen University Alumni Association Foundation in Singapore, and the First National College Students Innovative Experimental Project

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Cai, M., Li, Z. & Qi, A. Effects of iron electrovalence and species on growth and astaxanthin production of Haematococcus pluvialis . Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 27, 370–375 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-009-9176-1

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