Astaxanthin Production from a Native Ecuadorian Strain of Haematooccus Pluvialis in a Photobioreactor

This project focuses on the production of astaxanthin, a high-value commercial antioxidant carotenoid, using the native microalga Haematococcus pluvialis isolated from the Metropolitan District of Quito. The main goal is to establish an efficient process for obtaining this pigment, which is crucial for the aquaculture, poultry, and pharmaceutical industries. The methodology involves isolating and cultivating the strain in its vegetative phase, optimizing biomass through experimental design (Central Composite Design) by varying salt and macronutrient concentrations. Subsequently, cultivation will be scaled up by designing, constructing, and commissioning a tubular photobioreactor. Finally, the culture in the photobioreactor will be subjected to various stress conditions (light intensity, light/dark cycles, pH, nutrients) to induce pigment accumulation in the aplanospore phase. The extracted astaxanthin will be quantified using spectrophotometric or HPLC methods. The results aim to facilitate technology transfer and benefit the scientific community and productive sectors.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To produce astaxanthin from a native Ecuadorian strain of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis by optimizing its cultivation in a tubular photobioreactor through the application of various stress conditions.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources