Pentoses and light intensity increase the growth and carbohydrate production and alter the protein profile of Chlorella minutissima

B C B Freitas; A P A Cassuriaga; M G Morais; J A V Costa

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.031

Pentoses and light intensity increase the growth and carbohydrate production and alter the protein profile of Chlorella minutissima

Bioresour Technol. 2017 Aug:238:248-253. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.031. Epub 2017 Apr 9.

Authors

B C B Freitas¹, A P A Cassuriaga¹, M G Morais², J A V Costa³

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
² College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Laboratory of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
³ College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: jorgealbertovc@terra.com.br.

PMID: 28437642
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.031

Abstract

High concentrations of carbon, which is considered a necessary element, are required for microalgal growth. Therefore, the identification of alternative carbon sources available in large quantities is increasingly important. This study evaluated the effects of light variation and pentose addition on the carbohydrate content and protein profile of Chlorella minutissima grown in a raceway photobioreactor. The kinetic parameters, carbohydrate content, and protein profile of Chlorella minutissima and its theoretical potential for ethanol production were estimated. The highest cellular concentrations were obtained with a light intensity of 33.75µmol.m^-2.s^-1. Arabinose addition combined with a light intensity of 33.75µmol.m^-2.s^-1 increased the carbohydrate content by 53.8% and theoretically produced 39.1mL·100g^-1 ethanol. All of the assays showed that a lower light availability altered the protein profile. The luminous intensity affects xylose and arabinose assimilation and augments the carbohydrate content in C. minutissima, making this microalga appropriate for bioethanol production.

Keywords: Carbohydrate; Chlorella; Luminosity; Pentose; Raceway.

MeSH terms

Carbohydrates
Chlorella*
Light
Microalgae
Photobioreactors*
Proteins*

Substances

Carbohydrates
Proteins