Effect of culturing parameters on the vegetative growth of Haematococcus alpinus (strain lcr-cc-261f) and modeling of its growth kinetics 1 .

The present study investigated the effect of different culture conditions on the vegetative growth of a new species, Haematococcus alpinus (strain LCR-CC-261f) using airlift photobioreactors. The influence of culture medium, aeration rates, CO2 concentration in air-gas mixture, temperature, light intensities, and wavelengths were investigated to achieve sustainable high cell density cultures. Growth parameters were determined by fitting the data to a form of the logistic equation that included a lag phase. The shear-sensitive vegetative cells favored lower aeration rates in the photobioreactors. MLA medium increased to 40 mM nitrate produced high density cultures. Temperatures between 12 degrees C and 18 degrees C, 3% (v/v) CO2 concentration and a narrow photon flux density ranging between 37 and 48 mu mol photons center dot m(-2) center dot s(-1) were best suited for growth. The wavelength of the light source also impacted growth and a high cell density of 9.6 x 10(5) cells center dot mL(-1) was achieved using a mixture of red and blue compared to warm white, red, or blue LEDs.