Effects of LED irradiation on the growth and Astaxanthin Production of Haematococcus lacustris

Abstract

Microalgae have long been considered promising microorganisms, due to their potential as a source of valuable pharmaceuticals, pigments, carbohydrates, biofuels, and other fine chemicals. High-density microalgal photobioreactors have been considered for exploiting the biotechnological potential of microalgae. Haematococcus lacustris is considered the richest natural source of astaxanthin for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications. One of key challenges was to provide light sources that are more efficient, to deliver light more efficiently to the microalgal culture. Recent developments in highly efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have made possible the development of LED-based photobioreactors (PBR). We investigated the effects of various LEDs on the growth and astaxanthin production from Haematococcus lacustris. The mixture of red and blue was found to be the most effective light source for growing this microalga. Different wavelength mixing ratios of red and blue were also investigated. The ratio of mixed red-blue of 1:3 showed the best growth and astaxanthin accumulation from Haematococcus lacustris. The maximum biomass and astaxanthin production with illumination by mixed red-blue LEDs at a ratio of 1:3 obtained was 2.3 g/L and 55.1 mg/L, respectively. Biomass and astaxanthin were enhanced by a maximum of 3.28 g/L and 84.12 mg/L, with the mixed red-blue illumination in the ratio 1:3 at high light intensity 160 µE • m-2 • s-1 .

Effect of culturing parameters on the vegetative growth of Haematococcus alpinus (strain lcr‐cc‐261f) and modeling of its growth kinetics

“…Our findings were similar to those of Tran et al. () who showed that low PFD (40 μmol photons · m −2 · s −1) of mixed red – blue LEDs at a ratio of 1:3 improved vegetative growth.…”

“…Recent studies have shown that red and blue wavelengths have a specific influence on H. lacustris biology, cell density and astaxanthin production (Tran et al. ). Xi et al.…”

“…Hence, different algae absorb different wavelengths of light. Recent studies have shown that red and blue wavelengths have a specific influence on H. lacustris biology, cell density and astaxanthin production (Tran et al 2015). Xi et al (2016) showed that wavelengths in the red range were favored for vegetative growth and those in the blue range for astaxanthin induction in their strain.…”

“…S7) that were very close to the dual chlorophyll absorption peaks and would therefore have been effectively absorbed by the cells. Our findings were similar to those of Tran et al (2015) who showed that low PFD (40 lmol photons Á m À2 Á s À1) of mixed redblue LEDs at a ratio of 1:3 improved vegetative growth.…”

Influence of Light Emitting Diode (Led) on Microalgae

“…Thus, blue and red LED could accomplish high microalgae performance by delivering sufficient light wavelengths for the photosynthesis process and satisfying the microalgae of the required light energy. In another research, Haematococcus lacustris, and Astaxanthin gave the best growth performance of 84.12 mg/L and biomass of 3.28 g L -1 under red-blue LED of 1:3 with intensity of 160 µmole/m 2 .s (Tran et al, 2015). Baer et al (2016) conducted a significant examination of different microalgae species growth (Baer et al, 2016).…”