Effects of LED Irradiation on the Growth and Astaxanthin Production of Haematococcus Lacustris

Hai-Linh Tran, Kyu-Han Lee and Chang-Hee Hong

LED Agri-bio Fusion Technology Research Center, Chonbuk National University, Iksan Campus, South Korea

ABSTRACT: Microalgae have long been considered promising microorganisms, due to their potential as a source of valuable pharmaceuticals, pigments, carbohydrates, biofuels, and other fine chemicals. High-density microalgal photobioreactors have been considered for exploiting the biotechnological potential of microalgae. Haematococcus lacustris is considered the richest natural source of astaxanthin for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications. One of key challenges was to provide light sources that are more efficient, to deliver light more efficiently to the microalgal culture. Recent developments in highly efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have made possible the development of LED-based photobioreactors (PBR). We investigated the effects of various LEDs on the growth and astaxanthin production from Haematococcus lacustris. The mixture of red and blue was found to be the most effective light source for growing this microalga. Different wavelength mixing ratios of red and blue were also investigated. The ratio of mixed red–blue of 1:3 showed the best growth and astaxanthin accumulation from Haematococcus lacustris. The maximum biomass and astaxanthin production with illumination by mixed red–blue LEDs at a ratio of 1:3 obtained was 2.3 g/L and 55.1 mg/L, respectively. Biomass and astaxanthin were enhanced by a maximum of 3.28 g/L and 84.12 mg/L, with the mixed red–blue illumination in the ratio 1:3 at high light intensity 160 µE· m-2 · s-1.

KEYWORDS: Astaxanthin; Haematococcus lacustris; light emitting diodes; microalga; wavelength

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