Biomass and RRR-alpha-tocopherol production in Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011 in a balloon bioreactor
by Sivakumar, G.; Jeong, K.; Lay, J. O.
Background: Green microalgae represent a renewable natural source of vitamin E. Its most bioactive form is the naturally occurring RRR-alpha-tocopherol which is biosynthesized in photosynthetic organisms as a single stereoisomer. It is noteworthy that the natural and synthetic alpha-tocopherols are different biomolecular entities. This article focuses on RRR-alpha-tocopherol production in Stichococcus bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass in a bioreactor culture with methyl jasmonate (MeJa) elicitor. Additionally, a nonlinear mathematical model was used to quantitatively scale-up and predict the biomass production in a 20 L balloon bioreactor with dual variables such as time and volume. Results: Approximately 0.6 mg/g dry weight (DW) of RRR-alpha-tocopherol was enhanced in S. bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass with the MeJa 50 mu L/L for 24 hrs elicitations when compared to the control. The R-2 value from the nonlinear model was enhanced up to 95% when compared to the linear model which significantly improved the accuracy for estimating S. bacillaris strain siva2011 biomass production in a balloon bioreactor. Conclusions: S. bacillaris strain siva2011 is a new green microalga which biosynthesizes significant amounts of RRR-alpha-tocopherol. Systematically validated dual variable empirical data should provide key insights to multivariable or fourth order modeling for algal biomass scale-up. This bioprocess engineering should provide valuable information for industrial production of RRR-alpha-tocopherol from green cells.
- Journal
- Microbial Cell Factories
- Volume
- 13
- Year
- 2014
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2859-13-79
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1475-2859
- DOI
- 10.1186/1475-2859-13-79