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  • Heterotrophic and Photoautotrophic Media Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology for the Novel Microalga Chlorococcum amblystomatis
    Publication . Correia, Nádia; Pereira, Hugo; Schulze, Peter; Costa, Monya M.; Santo, Gonçalo E.; Guerra, Inês; Trovão, Mafalda; Barros, Ana; Cardoso, Helena; Silva, Joana; Gouveia, Luisa; Varela, João
    ABSTRACT: The nutritional requirements of novel microalgal strains are key for their effective cultivation and metabolite content. Therefore, the optimization of heterotrophic and photoautotrophic culture media is crucial for novel Chlorococcum amblystomatis growth. Heterotrophic and photoautotrophic biomass samples were characterized to identify the differences between their heterotrophic and photoautotrophic biomass composition and their biotechnological potential. Media optimization through surface response methodology led to 44.9 and 51.2% increments in C. amblystomatis-specific growth rates under heterotrophic and photoautotrophic growth, respectively. This microalga registered high protein content (61.49-73.45% dry weight), with the highest value being observed in the optimized photoautotrophic growth medium. The lipid fraction mainly constituted polyunsaturated fatty acids, ranging from 44.47 to 51.41% for total fatty acids (TFA) in cells under heterotrophy. However, these contents became significantly higher (70.46-72.82% TFA) in cultures cultivated under photoautotrophy. An interesting carotenoids content was achieved in the cultures grown in optimized photoautotrophic medium: 5.84 mg center dot g(-1) beta-carotene, 5.27 mg center dot g(-1) lutein, 3.66 mg center dot g(-1) neoxanthin, and 0.75 mg center dot g(-1) violaxanthin. Therefore, C. amblystomatis demonstrated an interesting growth performance and nutritional profile for food supplements and feed products that might contribute to meeting the world's nutritional demand.
  • A two-stage cultivation strategy for the industrial production of the novel microalga Chlorococcum amblystomatis
    Publication . Correia, Nádia; Trovão, Mafalda; Santo, Gonçalo E.; Guerra, Inês; Cunha, P.; Fonseca, Joana; Pereira, Hugo; Costa, Monya M.; Ferreira, Sara; Santos, Tamára; Barros, Ana; Cardoso, Helena; Silva, Joana; Gouveia, Luisa; Varela, João
    ABSTRACT: This study presented the industrial-scale validation of a two-stage growth strategy for a poorly explored yet industrially relevant chlorophyte microalga, Chlorococcum amblystomatis, addressing the gap between laboratory research and practical application. By using cultures grown heterotrophically as inoculum for industrial-scale photoautotrophic reactors, this approach significantly accelerated scale-up. The proposed strategy reduced the overall scale-up time by approximately 5.5-fold compared to the conventional pipeline, without compromising productivity or biochemical quality. A maximum biomass concentration of 70.96 +/- 0.35 g L-1 was achieved in 7-L benchtop fermenters under heterotrophic conditions, representing the highest value reported to date for this microalga. The biomass obtained presented a protein content of 32.42 +/- 2.30% of dry weight, which increased to 54.55 +/- 2.04% upon cultivation under photoautotrophic conditions, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increased from 50.12 +/- 3.27 to 67.74 +/- 0.35% of total fatty acids, with alpha-linolenic acid as the predominant fatty acid. Conversely, the saturated fatty acids content (38.26 +/- 1.63% of TFA) decreased to 22.37 +/- 0.02% of TFA in the phototrophic stage. Pigment contents also increased significantly during the phototrophic stage, with chlorophylls rising from 10.04 +/- 1.68 to 44.91 +/- 5.11 mg g(-)1 and carotenoids reaching notable concentrations, including lutein (5.34 +/- 0.10 mg g-1), beta-carotene (5.92 +/- 0.39 mg g-1), and neoxanthin (3.53 +/- 0.75 mg g-1). Among the industrial photoautotrophic systems tested, the closed tubular photobioreactors were the most suitable configuration for C. amblystomatis cultivation, achieving higher biomass productivity, enhanced protein content and pigment accumulation compared to open raceway ponds. Overall, this work demonstrates a scalable, efficient, and time-saving cultivation strategy for C. amblystomatis, supporting its potential for industrial biotechnological applications.