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Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
ISSN: 0717-3458
Vol. 17, No. 1, 2014, pp. 14-18
Bioline Code: ej14003
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2014, pp. 14-18

 en Production and characterization of algae extract from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Kightlinger, Weston; Chen, Kai; Pourmir, Azadeh; Crunkleton, Daniel W.; Price, Geoffrey L. & Johannes, Tyler W.

Abstract

Background: Algae offer many advantages as biofuel sources including: high growth rates, high lipid content, the ability to grow on non-agricultural land, and the genetic versatility to improve strains rapidly and produce co-products. Research is ongoing to make algae biofuels a more financially attractive energy option; however, it is becoming evident that the economic viability of algae-based fuels may hinge upon high-value co-products. This work evaluated the feasibility of using a co-product, algae extract, as a nutrient source in cell culture media.
Results: Algae extract prepared from autolysed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was found to contain 3.0% protein, 9.2% total carbohydrate, and 3.9% free α-amino acid which is similar to the nutrient content of commercially available yeast extract. The effects of algae extract on the growth andmetabolism of laboratory strains of Escherichia coli check for this species in other resources and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were tested by substituting algae extract for yeast extract in LB and YPAD growth media recipes. Complex laboratory media supplemented with algae extract instead of yeast extract showed markedly improved effects on the growth and metabolism of common laboratory microorganisms in all cases except ethanol production rates in yeast.
Conclusions: This study showed that algae extract derived from C. reinhardtii is similar, if not superior, to commercially available yeast extract in nutrient content and effects on the growth and metabolism of E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Bacto™ yeast extract is valued at USD $0.15–0.35 per gram, if algae extract was sold at similar prices, it would serve as a high-value co-product in algae-based fuel processes.

Keywords
Algae extract; Algae; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Microalgae; Culture media

 
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