Microalgal biomass represents a very interesting biological feedstock to be converted into several high-value products in a biorefinery approach. In this study, the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was used to obtain different classes of molecules: proteins, carotenoids and lipids by using a cascade approach. In particular, the protein extract showed a selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, whereas carotenoids were found to be active as antioxidants both in vitro and on a cell-based model. Finally, for the first time, lipids were recovered from Synechocystis biomass as the last class of molecules and were successfully used as an alternative substrate for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by the native PHA producer Pseudomonas resinovorans. Taken together, our results lead to a significant increase in the valorization of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 biomass, thus allowing a possible offsetting of the process costs.
Keywords: antioxidants; biorefinery; cyanobacteria; high-value compounds; polyhydroxyalkanoate.