Batch cultivation for astaxanthin analysis using the green microalga Chlorella zofingiensis under multitrophic growth conditions

Abstract

Astaxanthin represents a high-value ketocarotenoid that has been gaining great attention from both the science and public communities in recent years. Microalgae are the primary source of natural astaxanthin. Chlorella zofingiensis, a freshwater and oleaginous green microalga, is capable of growing well photoautotrophically, heterotrophically, and mixotrophically for high-density biomass and astaxanthin production. Here we describe the astaxanthin production pipeline using C. zofingiensis as cell factories under different trophic conditions, including strain preparation, inoculation, and cultivation, biomass harvest and dewatering, and astaxanthin extraction, determination, and quantification.