Production of Astaxanthin by Haematococcus Pluvialis Using Deproteinized Whey Permeate as a Nutrient Source

Abstract

The goal of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of a value-added use for deproteinized whey permeate (DWP) as feed material for the algae Haematococcus pluvialis to produce astaxanthin, the main carotenoid contributing to salmon and shrimp pigmentation. Algae was grown under 3 mixotrophic conditions: standard WC medium, standard WC medium with 10 g/L DWP, and 10 g/L DWP alone. Algae were harvested and carotenoids extracted with a modified Mojonnier method. The extracts contained free astaxanthin and astaxanthin mono- and diesters. Extracts were treated with cholesterol esterase to facilitate total astaxanthin quantification via HPLC-UV/VIS-MS/MS. Total astaxanthin dry weight was 2.11 μg (SD=0.80), 5.98 μg (SD=1.79), and 9.97 μg (SD=3.74) for the three treatments, respectively (n=4), indicating that DWP supports growth of H. pluvialis and that the algae can utilize lactose in DWP without hydrolysis. This is promising for dairy processors, who could utilize DWP as a novel income stream.