Production of eicosapentaenoic acid by Vacuoliviride crystalliferum under 20% CO(2) conditions.

Abstract

Utilizing flue gas CO(2) to co-produce eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with microalgae is considered an ideal approach for combating climate change and reducing cultivation costs. However, microalgal species that can efficiently produce epa under high-CO(2) conditions are scarce. This study identified that the eustigmatophycean strain Vacuoliviride crystalliferum demonstrates rapid growth under 20 % CO(2) conditions (0.22 vvm), achieving a biomass concentration and productivity of 3.90 g/L and 229.26 mg/L/d, respectively. The epa content and epa productivity were found to be 4.28 % (w/w) and 9.80 mg/L/d, respectively. Additionally, an improved biomass concentration of 3.39 g/L and epa content and productivity of 4.32 % (w/w) and 11.28 mg/L/d were obtained in a 30 L up-scaled cultivation system. Taken together, these findings suggest that V. crystalliferum is a promising candidate for integrating flue gas sequestration with epa production.