Coproduction of lipids and carotenoids by the novel green alga Coelastrella sp. depending on cultivation conditions

• Published in: Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Vol. 37; p. e00769
• Main Authors: Saito, Mizuki, Watanabe, Haruka, Sasaki, Mitsuki, Ookubo, Madoka, Yarita, Takashi, Shiraiwa, Masakazu, Asayama, Munehiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biorefinery; Carotenoid; Coelastrella; Dual production; Lipid; Coelastrella; Dual production; Biorefinery; Carotenoid; Lipid
• ISSN: 2215-017X; 2215-017X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00769

•Lipid/carotenoid production by Coelastrella sp. D3-1 was characterised.•Triacylglycerol, echinenone, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin were found at red stage.•Cells were resistant to pH 211, 4060 °C, UV irradiation, drought, and H2O2.•Cell extracts showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.•Coelastrella sp. D3-1 and the derivatives are useful biorefinery materials. A novel green alga Coelastrella sp. D3–1 was isolated, and its unique and significant lipid and carotenoid coproduction capability was characterised depending on cultivation conditions. The main component of produced lipids was triacylglycerol under nutrient depletion conditions, in which fatty-methyl-esters made up 20−44% of the dry cell weight (DCW) and consisted of abundant C16:0 and C18:1 fatty acids. The red (orange)-stage cells also produced a large portion of carotenoids (38.5% of the DCW) involving echinenone, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin as major components accumulated over only 5–6 days under optimal conditions. Stress tests revealed resistance of the cells to pH 2–11, high temperatures (40–60 °C), ultraviolet irradiation, drought, and H2O2 treatment, thereby showing a robust nature. Both green- and red (orange)-stage cell extracts also showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities, implying that they have significant functions as useful biorefinery materials.