Photoautotrophic high-density cultivation of vegetative cells of Haematococcus pluvialis in airlift bioreactor

This work aimed to investigate the effects of the bioreactor configurations and their design variables on the cultivation of vegetative cells Haematococcus pluvialis to achieve sustainable high cell density. The addition of vitamin B to F1 growth medium could appreciably enhance the final cell density. Employing this medium, the cultivation in the airlift bioreactor was demonstrated to outperform the bubble column at the same operating conditions. Aeration was crucial for a proper growth of the alga in the airlift bioreactor, but it must be maintained at low level to minimize shear stress. The most appropriate aeration velocity (superficial velocity) was at the lower limit of the pump, i.e. 0.4 cm s−1 and a smaller riser was shown to have positive influence on the cell growth. A 1% CO2 supplement to the air supply considerably enhanced the growth rate of H. pluvialis and the most suitable light intensity for the growth was at 20 μmol photon m−2 s−1. The semi-continuous culture was successfully implemented with the optimal airlift bioreactor design and under optimal conditions the harvest could be performed every four days with the specific growth rate of 0.31 d−1.