Modulation of the metabolite content of the unicellular rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum using a 2-stage cultivation approach and chemical stressors

Maria Elena Barone, Helen Herbert, Adam Mc Donnell, David Fierli, Gerard T.A. Fleming, Nicolas Touzet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There have been growing interests in microalgal biotechnology for the biorefining of bioactive compounds such as carotenoid pigments, ω-3 fatty acids, antioxidants or antimicrobials for sectoral applications in the pharmacology, nutraceutical and cosmetic fields. This study focused on the unicellular marine rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum CCAP 1380/1 A, which was cultivated via a two-stage batch growth mode for 10 days using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MJ) and three plant extracts (Passiflora incarnata, Panax ginseng and Valeriana officinalis). The microalgal biomass was then analysed for its protein, phycoerythtin, carbohydrate and pigment composition together with its pigment content and antioxidant activity. Of note, MJ increased the protein and phycoerythtin content (up to 225 µg BSA eq./mg DW and 15 mg/ml, respectively) while both the MJ and H2O2 treatments increased carotenoid pigment yields (β-carotene and zeaxanthin, up to 5 and 4 mg/g, respectively). Carbohydrates were enhanced ∼10 fold by the Valeriana officinalis treatment (up 192 μg starch eq./mg). Overall, neutral lipids and antioxidants were mostly negatively affected by the plant extracts. The greatest antioxidant activity registered was obtained with the H2O2 treatment (15 μmol Trolox eq./g DW with TEAC assay). P. purpureum contains multiple valuable compounds of commercial interest. These results indicate that they can be favorably modulated using specific cultivation regimes and chemical enhancers, thereby facilitating the exploitation of the biomass by applying a suitable co-refinery pipeline.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-132
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Biotechnology
Volume360
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Biorefinery
  • Microalgae
  • P. purpureum
  • Pigments
  • Zeaxanthin

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