Statistical and optimization strategies to carotenoids production by Tetradesmus acuminatus (LC192133.1) cultivated in photobioreactors

In this work, the effects of the factors light intensity, photoperiod, pH, NaCl and nitrogen concentration were investigate on the carotenoids response of Tetradesmus acuminatus (LC192133.1) cultures. Analysis of variance (α = 0.10) suggested significant effect mainly of the light intensity and photoperiod factors. The applied regression models, considering these factors, have allowed to estimate the production of carotenoids with precision (0.90 ≤ R² ≤ 0.95). The optimization of the light intensity and photoperiod values resulted in the maximum production of carotenoids in mg g−1 (85 μmol m−2 s−1; 15.8:8.2 h light:dark) and in mg L−1 (595 μmol m−2 s−1 for 24 h). The experimental validation of the results showed syntheses of 7.6 mg g−1 astaxanthin and 9.1 mg g−1 β-carotene; as well as the production of 12.1 mg L−1 astaxanthin and 12.8 mg L−1 β-carotene. Results indicated that the cultivation of Tetradesmus acuminatus (LC192133.1) under optimized conditions of energy intensity and photoperiod allowed the improvement of carotenoid production.