[Repeated batch and fed-batch process for astaxanthin production by Phaffia rhodozyma]

Area of Science:

• Microbial Biotechnology
• Industrial Microbiology

Context:

• Astaxanthin is a valuable carotenoid with significant commercial applications.
• Developing cost-effective methods for astaxanthin industrial production is crucial.

Purpose:

• To compare batch and repeated batch fermentation processes for Phaffia rhodozyma.
• To optimize astaxanthin yield and economic viability through repeated batch and fed-batch strategies.

Summary:

• Shaking flask studies compared 4-day and 5-day repeated batch cycles, with the 4-day cycle showing higher average astaxanthin production.
• A 5-L bioreactor demonstrated that repeated fed-batch processes maintained high biomass and astaxanthin levels across multiple batches, irrespective of carbon source (glucose or starch hydrolysate).
• The Phaffia rhodozyma strain exhibited excellent stability, supporting the feasibility of repeated batch and fed-batch for economical astaxanthin fermentation.

Impact:

• This research provides a pathway for more economical industrial-scale astaxanthin production.
• The findings support the application of optimized fermentation strategies for enhanced microbial product yields.
• Demonstrates the potential of stable microbial strains in sustainable bioprocessing.