Towards maximizing biomass and lipid productivity: high-throughput screening assay for prospecting heterotrophic growth for new microalgal isolates

Bibliographic Details
Title: Towards maximizing biomass and lipid productivity: high-throughput screening assay for prospecting heterotrophic growth for new microalgal isolates
Authors: Su-Bin Park, Yu Rim Lee, Jin-Ho Yun, Hong Il Choi, Eun Jeong Sim, Dong-Yun Choi, Dae-Hyun Cho, Hee-Sik Kim, Yong Jae Lee
Source: Microbial Cell Factories, Vol 23, Iss 1, Pp 1-15 (2024)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Microbiology
Subject Terms: Microalgae, High-throughput screening, Optimization, Heterotrophic carbon substrate, Lipid accumulation, Microbiology, QR1-502
More Details: Abstract Background Microalgae have emerged as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and high-value petrochemicals. Despite the commercial potential of microalgae, their low biomass productivity is a significant limiting factor for large-scale production. In the photoautotrophic cultivation of microalgae, achievable cell density levels depend on the light transmittance of the production system, which can significantly decrease the photosynthetic rate and biomass production. In contrast, the mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae using heterotrophic carbon sources enables high-density cultivation, which significantly enhances biomass productivity. The identification of optimal production conditions is crucial for improving biomass productivity; however, it is typically time- and resource-consuming. To overcome this problem, high-throughput screening (HTS) system presents a practical approach to maximize biomass and lipid production and enhance the industrial applicability of microalgae. Results In this study, we proposed a two-step HTS assay that allows effective screening of heterotrophic conditions compatible with new microalgal isolates. To confirm the effectiveness of the HTS assay, three microalgal isolates with distinctive morphological and genetic traits were selected. Suitable cultivation conditions, including various heterotrophic carbon sources, substrate concentrations, and temperatures, were investigated using a two-step HTS assay. The optimized conditions were validated at the flask scale, which confirmed a significant enhancement in the biomass and lipid productivity of each isolate. Moreover, the two-step HTS assay notably enhanced economic and temporal efficiency compared to conventional flask-based optimization. Conclusions These results suggest that our two-step HTS assay is an efficient strategy for investigating and optimizing microalgal culture conditions to maximize biomass and lipid productivity. This approach has the potential to enhance the industrial applicability of microalgae and facilitate the seamless transition from laboratory to field applications.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1475-2859
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2859
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02550-7
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/704d281705a1452a968c016bdd736a83
Accession Number: edsdoj.704d281705a1452a968c016bdd736a83
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:14752859
DOI:10.1186/s12934-024-02550-7
Published in:Microbial Cell Factories
Language:English