Influence of inoculum size, CO₂ concentration and LEDs on the growth of green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow

Abstract

Green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis is best known for astaxanthin production. The cultivation of H. pluvialis involves two main phases, namely green vegetative stage and cyst stage with astaxanthin accumulation. In fact, the growth of H. pluvialis in the vegetative stage is one of the most important parts in the entire cultivation process. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of temperature, inoculum size, CO₂, concentration and light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the specific growth rate, cell density and dry weight of H. pluvialis in the vegetative stage. Results indicated that the temperature from 25 to 28°C and the inoculum size from 3x10⁴ cells.ml⁻¹ were suitable for the growth of the studied strain. Illumination with red light LEDs (630 nm) at 80 µE.m⁻². s⁻¹, the highest specific growth rate (µ) was 0.197 day1 and the maximal density was of 2,87x10⁵ cells.ml⁻¹. A concentration of 5% CO₂ (v/v) was the optimal dose for the growth of this strain.