Abstract
The biology, and hence the mass culture, of Dunaliella viridis closely follows that of Dunaliella salina, which is successfully mass cultured for the production of β-carotene. Both algae can grow at extremely high salinities and light intensities. They co-exist in the coastal salt lake, Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. In contrast to D. salina, D. viridis does not accumulate large amounts of β-carotene, producing only up to 0.7% of mixed carotenoids (lutein, zeaxathin, other oxygenated carotenoids and β-carotene), compared to D. salina’s ca 10% dry wt of mainly β-carotene. However, in laboratory experiments, D. viridis grew much faster and to much higher cell densities than D. salina, and attained levels of mixed carotenoids similar to those of D. salina (ca 13 mg L-1 carotenoid). Preliminary experiments in outdoor ponds were much less promising. Harvesting by chemical flocculation was as effective as with D. salina, but extraction of carotenoids directly into vegetable oil proved inefficient. When incorporated into feed, caretonoids derived from D. viridis pigmented hen eggs acceptably. Extrapolating from laboratory results, and using costing derived from D. salina technology, the cost of production of mixed oxygenated carotenoids from D. viridis was similar to that for the production of β-carotene from D. salina, at ca $A500 kg-1.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Arakel, A. V. & T. P. Moulton, 1986. Hydrochemistry of surficial brines in Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. Paleo-geogr. Paleoclimatol. Paleoecol. 54: 261–282.
Ben-Amotz, A. & M. Avron, 1980. Glycerol, β-carotene and dry algal meal production by commercial cultivation of Dunaliella. In G. Schelef & C. J. Soeder (eds), Algal Biomass. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical, Amsterdam: 603–610.
Ben-Amotz, A. & M. Avron, 1983. On the factors which determine massive β-carotene accumulation in the halo-tolerant alga Dunaliella bardawil. Plant Physiol. 72: 593–597.
Borowitzka, L. J., M. A. Borowitzka & T. P. Moulton, 1984. The mass culture of Dunaliella salina for fine chemicals: From laboratory to pilot plant. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 11: 115–134.
Borowitzka, L. J., T. P. Moulton & M. A. Borowitzka, 1985. Salinity and the commercial production of β-carotene from Dunaliella salina. In W. J. Barclay & R. Mcintosh (eds), Algal Biomass: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. J. Cramer Verlag, Verduz: 217–222.
Jeffrey, S. W. & G. F. Humphrey, 1975. New spectrophotometry equations for determining chlorphylls a, b, c 1and c 2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton. Biochem. Physiol. Pflanzen 167: 191–194.
Kessler, J. O., 1982. Algal cell harvesting. US Patent no. 4324067.
Moulton, T. P., L. J. Borowitzka & D. J. Vincent, 1987a. The mass culture ofDunaliella salina for β-carotene: From pilot plant to production plant. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 12: 99–105.
Moulton, T. P., T. R. Sommer & M. A. Burford, 1987b. Competition between Dunaliella species at high salinity. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 12: 107–116.
Moulton, T. P., M. A. Burford & T. R. Sommer, 1988. Biology of Dunaliella species in the salt lake Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 23: 1908–1911.
Post, F., M. A. Borowitzka, L. J. Borowitzka, B. Mackay & T. P. Moulton, 1983. Protozoa of the hypersaline lake Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. Hydrobiologia 105: 95–113.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this paper
Cite this paper
Moulton, T.P., Burford, M.A. (1990). The mass culture of Dunaliella viridis (Volvocales, Chlorophyta) for oxygenated carotenoids: laboratory and pilot plant studies. In: Lindstrom, S.C., Gabrielson, P.W. (eds) Thirteenth International Seaweed Symposium. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 58. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2049-1_57
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2049-1_57
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7419-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2049-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive