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Year-Round Cultivation of Tetraselmis sp. for Essential Lipid Production in a Semi-Open Raceway System
Won-Kyu Lee1,2, Yong-Kyun Ryu1,2, Woon-Yong Choi1
1Jeju Marine Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), Jeju Special Self-Governing Province 63349, Korea.
Marine Drugs
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Microalgae cultivation in semi-open raceway systems offers a sustainable source of essential fatty acids. Year-round cultivation in Korea demonstrated consistent biomass productivity and lipid content, ideal for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biotechnology and Aquaculture
- Sustainable Biomass Production
- Lipid and Fatty Acid Metabolism
Background:
- Increasing global demand for essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessitates non-fish sources.
- Microalgae represent a sustainable and renewable biomass resource for EFA production.
- Open raceway systems (ORS) are cost-effective for industrial microalgae cultivation, but susceptible to seasonal weather variations impacting productivity and quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of year-round cultivation of Tetraselmis sp. in a semi-ORS in Korea.
- To optimize biomass and bioactive lipid production from Tetraselmis sp.
- To evaluate the stability of biomass productivity and lipid quality under varying climatic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory optimization of Tetraselmis sp. cultivation using f-medium versus f/2 medium.
- Construction of a pilot plant with six semi-ORSs (40,000 L each) using climatic data-based building information modeling.
- Year-round cultivation trials (2014-2017) monitoring biomass productivity, lipid content, fatty acid composition, and omega-6/omega-3 ratio.
Main Results:
- F-medium significantly enhanced biomass productivity (1.64 g/L) and reduced the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (0.52/1) compared to f/2 medium.
- Year-round cultivation in semi-ORS showed stable monthly biomass productivity and fatty acid composition, with lipid content correlating to photosynthetic photon flux density.
- Areal productivity increased over time, peaking at 44.01 g/m²/d, with average lipid content remaining consistent (approx. 13-15%) across the trial years.
Conclusions:
- Year-round cultivation of Tetraselmis sp. in a semi-ORS is feasible in Korea, maintaining consistent biomass productivity and lipid content.
- Optimized medium (f-medium), controlled culture conditions, and adjustments in salinity and CO2 injection enhance productivity.
- This study demonstrates a sustainable method for producing microalgal biomass and bioactive lipids suitable for industrial applications under temperate climate conditions.
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