AIR2-CT94-1283 Biomass Production System For The Biosynthesis Of Carotenoids

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AIR Cluster III - Bioconversion : Biological Conversion : Fine Chemicals : Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics : Process Engineering : Vegetable Oil/Fat

	Contract No	AIR2-CT94-1283
	Total Cost	1 187 569
	EC Contribution	915 969
	Start Date	01/07/1994
	Duration	36 months

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SUMMARY

This project aims to develop processes for the cost effective biosynthesis of carotenoids using algae. Carotenoids are important ingredients, widely used as pigments and anti oxidants in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and health food industries. Different technologies for the production of microalgae biomass are being studied. These integrate alternative systems based on either closed photobioreactors or raceway pond systems. Both are established technologies for algal production. The former have been quite widely used in Europe (Britain, France and Italy) whilst extensive experience of raceway systems has been built up in Israel and the United States. The complete raceway system will be developed to produce beta-carotene using Dunaliella, while the photo bioreactor system will be used for astaxanthin biosynthesis by Haematococcus.

OBJECTIVE

This project aims to improve the biosynthesis of carotenoids through the development of a new environmentally friendly technology, cost effective production of natural carotenoids, which are increasingly important pigments and anti-oxidants widely used in Agro-food, pharmaceutics, cosmetics and Mealth-Food Industries. Different technologies for the production of microalgae biomass will be combined integrating two different systems:

1. the photobioreactors, where there is a fairly good knowledge in Europe (Britain, France and Italy), with pre-competitive results already described, which will be considered, and

2. the raceway pond systems, where extensive experience was developed in Israel and U.S.A., with commercial production facilities in operation, with whom technology transfer contacts have been initiated. The whole system, pioneered in Europe, will be applied to beta-carotene production using Dunaliella, and the photo-bioreactor, will be used for astaxanthin biosynthesis with Haematococcus.

The research will consist of a set of Tasks grouped into four Macro-Tasks:

1. MT l: Laboratory Scale Cultures;

2. MT 2: Process Scale up and Optimization.

3. MT 3: Analytical Development and Control.

4. MT 4: System Support and Management.

Those Macro-Tasks are interdependent and will be executed in parallel using a PERT approach for the actual management and control. All participants have a significant contribution for each of the Macro-Tasks which aims to fulfil a specific milestone. The expected results are:

1. a full cost-effective production system for the biosynthesis of natural carotenoids integrating all the laboratory to pilot-plant steps;

2. the knowledge to operate the system for the production of different carotenoids using different microalgae selected strains; and

3. the obtaining of high quality natural products, either in the form of microalgae powder or extracted carotenoids in vegetable oil solution.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Julio M. NOVAIS / Instituto Nacional de Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial / PORTUGAL

EC Scientific Officer

• Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Rui MORAIS / Escola Superior Biotecnologia Universidade Catolica Portuguesa / PORTUGAL
• Liverpool John Moores University, Carotenoid Research Group School of Biological and Earth Sciences / UNITED KINGDOM
• Jaime FABREGAS / Universidad de Santiago Faculdad de Farmacia, Departamento de Microbiología / SPAIN