Production of β-cryptoxanthin at Different Artificial Light Spectra by Three Strains  of Microalgae

Sirawit Chuechomsuk; Benjawan Thumthanaruk; Watcharee Kunyalung; Sonia Mohamadnia; Irini Angelidaki; Vilai Rungsardthong

doi:10.59796/jcst.V15N2.2025.107

Authors

Sirawit Chuechomsuk Department of Agro-Industrial, Food and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, Food and Agro-Industrial Research Center, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Benjawan Thumthanaruk Department of Agro-Industrial, Food and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, Food and Agro-Industrial Research Center, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Watcharee Kunyalung Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
Sonia Mohamadnia Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, DTU, Denmark
Irini Angelidaki Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, DTU, Denmark
Vilai Rungsardthong Department of Agro-Industrial, Food and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, Food and Agro-Industrial Research Center, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V15N2.2025.107

Keywords:

β-Cryptoxanthin, Carotenoids, Microalgae, LED Artificial light, Bioactive compound, Antioxidant

Abstract

Microalgae have significant potential for β-cryptoxanthin production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of white (445, 544 nm), blue (465 nm), and red (660 nm) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on biomass accumulation, total carotenoid content, and β-cryptoxanthin production in three strains of microalgae: Scenedesmus obliquus, Coelastrum morus, and Chlorococcum sp. Biomass accumulation increased under blue and red LED cultivation, while red LED significantly enhanced carotenoid and β-cryptoxanthin accumulation. β-Cryptoxanthin content in S. obliquus, C. morus, and Chlorococcum sp. cultivated under red LED was 171.92 ± 10.42, 217.35 ± 9.17, and 256.27 ± 8.80 μg/g cell dry weight, respectively. These values represent a 29.43%–33.27% increase compared to cultivation under white and blue LEDs. The antioxidant activity of all microalgal extracts exceeded 85%. These findings highlight the potential of red LED lighting to enhance β-cryptoxanthin production in the investigated microalgae strains.

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