Rapid analytical methods for the microalgal and cyanobacterial biorefinery: Application on strains of industrial importance

Rapid, user ‐friendly methodologies were devised for the determination of phycobiliprotein, pigment, and macromolecule contents in microalgae, and for qualitative and quantitative carotenoid profiling using liquid chromatography coupled with spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. Methods were applied to com mercially important microalgal strains, demonstrating their application and suitability as tools for quality control, strain selection, and growth optimization purposes within microalgal research and integrated biorefinery settings. AbstractTo realize the potential of microalgae in the biorefinery context, exploitation of multiple products is necessary for profitability and bioproduct valorization. Appropriate analytical tools are required for growth optimization, culture monitoring, and quality control purposes, with safe, low ‐tech, and low‐cost solutions favorable. Rapid, high‐throughput, and user‐friendly methodologies were devised for (a) determination of phycobiliproteins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and (b) qualitative and quantitative carotenoid profiling using UPLC‐PDA‐ MSE. The complementary methods were applied on 11 commercially important microalgal strains including prasinophytes, haptophytes, and cyanobacteria, highlighting the suitability of some strains for coproduct exploitation and the method utility for research and industrial biotechnology applications. The UPLC method allowed separation of 41 different...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research