Optimization of growth conditions of the microalga Oocystis polymorpha in photo-bioreactors for the production of carotenoids targeted for use as antioxidants for nutraceutical pur

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Some microalgae are particularly interesting because of their efficiency to produce antioxidant carotenoids, including astaxanthin, which have been proved to benefit human and animal health and nutrition. The aim of this project is to develop growth conditions for the microalga Oocystis polymorpha in order to produce maximal astaxanthin, combining it with the expertise of algae growing in photo-bioreactors from NutrOcean Company and adapting to this species. The eventual aim of the company is to produce astaxanthin from microalgae, using it in the nutraceutical field. A stepwise scaling-up will be carried out to eventually produce up to 2 L of the culture in a bioreactor. Different conditions will be optimized in order to achieve the highest mass algal production with a maximal carotenoid accumulation. NutrOcean is a marine farming production company located in Rimouski, specialized in the development and commercialization of microalgal products. NutrOcean has currently looking to penetrate the nutraceutical market, more specifically using omega 3 and astaxanthin in dietary supplements and functional food. Astaxanthin supplements have been available to the public for quite a number of years. However, the most commercially available form of this carotenoid is from synthetic sources. Today, there is a need to find alternate ways of producing natural astaxanthin. Since one of the major missions of NutrOcean is to capture the nutraceutical astaxanthin market the company is interested for technologies producing carotenoids from microalgae. The know-how of Dr. Popovic's team therefore, directly fits the need of the company at solving the company-specific problem through the application of existing knowledge in an innovative manner. Therefore, this contribution on technology transfer will allow a Canadian company to be in a leading position in the nutraceutical field. Such biotechnology oriented to obtain from microalgae specific carotenoids with high antioxidant properties presently does not exist in Canada.