Development of a sustainable system for astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis: a potential and powerful antioxidant

• Grant number: 16/21605-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Angela Pedroso Tonon
• Grantee: Angela Pedroso Tonon
• Company: A P Tonon Bioquímica
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/16785-8 - Development of a sustainable system to astaxanthin production from the Haematococus pluvialis: a powerful antioxidant, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The microalgae biotechnology is increasing their marketing and importance in the scientific and industrial community due the large group diversity, bioenergy and natural bioproducts source. Also, many of microalgae species can serve as bioremediators of pollution for industrial wastewater. Among the commercially important microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialisis is the richest source of natural astaxanthin. Astaxanthin has important applications in the nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food, and aquaculture industries. It is now evident that, astaxanthin can significantly reduce free radicals and oxidative stress and help human body maintain a healthy state. Astaxanthin is one of the high-value microalgal products of the future. H. pluvialis can produce about 85 to 88% of astaxanthin of the total carotenoid, under stress conditions. We believe that greater efforts should be done regarding the increase in biomass and consequently astaxanthin productivity. Briefly the main goal of this proposal is analyze the scientific and technical viability to grow H. pluvialis in closed photobioreactor to improve and increase biomass and astaxanthin production. We intend to devote our future plans to utilize CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the Industrial sector in the biomass cultures, which can encourage and help the decrease of the CO2 emission and increase the biomass productivity. (AU)