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Optimization of production of C-phycocyanin and extracellular polymeric substances by Arthrospira sp.

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Abstract

The key factors influencing the production of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by photoautotrophic culture of Arthrospira sp. were optimized using Taguchi method. Six factors were varied at either three or two levels as follows: light intensity at three levels; three initial culture pHs; two species of Arthrospira; three concentrations of Zarrouk’s medium; three rates of aeration of the culture with air mixed with 2% v/v carbon dioxide; and two incubation temperatures. All cultures ran for 14 days. The optimal conditions for the production of C-PC and EPS were different. For both products, the best cyanobacterium proved to be Arthrospira maxima IFRPD1183. The production of C-PC was maximized with the following conditions: a light intensity of 68 µmol photons m−2 s−1 (a diurnal cycle of 16-h photoperiod and 8-h dark period), an initial pH of 10, the full strength (100%) Zarrouk’s culture medium, an aeration rate of 0.6 vvm (air mixed with 2% v/v CO2) and a culture temperature of 30 °C. The concentration of Zarrouk’s medium was the most important factor influencing the final concentration of C-PC. The optimal conditions for maximal production of EPS were as follows: a light intensity of 203 µmol photons m−2 s−1 with the earlier specified light–dark cycle; an initial pH of 9.5; a 50% strength of Zarrouk’s medium; an aeration rate of 0.2 vvm (air mixed with 2% v/v CO2); and a temperature of 35 °C. Production of C-PC and EPS in raceway ponds is discussed.

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Abbreviations

A 620 :

Spectrophotometric absorbance at 620 nm

Ave:

Average value

C b :

Dry biomass concentration

C C-PC :

Concentration of C-PC

C EPS :

Concentration of EPS

C-PC:

C-phycocyanin

DCW:

Dry cell weight

DOFFactor :

Degree of freedom of factors

EPS:

Extracellular polymeric substances

\( \bar{F}_{i} \) :

Averages of signal-to-noise ratio of factors at each factor level

F ratio :

F-ratio

f :

A cyanobacterium-dependent constant

N :

Noise

n :

Number of experimental trials

ODxxx :

Optical density at xxx nm

Q C-PC :

Volumetric rate of C-PC production

Q EPS :

Volumetric rate of EPS production

SSError :

Sum of squares of error

SSFactor :

Sum of squares of factors

S :

Signal

t d :

Doubling time

\(\bar {T}\) :

Grand average of signal-to-noise ratio

w :

Weight of the dry biomass in the culture broth

y i :

Observed values of concentrations, productivities and yields of C-PC and EPS

Y opt :

Expected values of concentrations, productivities and yields of C-PC and EPS

Y C-PC/X :

C-PC yield on biomass

Y EPS/X :

EPS yield on biomass

µ :

Specific growth rate

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by: Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand; the Department of Biotechnology, Kasetsart University; the Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (KUIAS); and the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of the Higher Education Commission.

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Monchai Dejsungkranont & Sarote Sirisansaneeyakul

  2. School of Engineering, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Yusuf Chisti

  3. Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources (CASTNAR), National Research University–Kasetsart University (NRU-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Sarote Sirisansaneeyakul

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  1. Monchai Dejsungkranont
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Correspondence to Sarote Sirisansaneeyakul.

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Dejsungkranont, M., Chisti, Y. & Sirisansaneeyakul, S. Optimization of production of C-phycocyanin and extracellular polymeric substances by Arthrospira sp.. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 40, 1173–1188 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-017-1778-y

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