Research
| Title： | Critical assessment of protozoa contamination and control measures in mass culture of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum |
|---|---|
| First author： | He, Qing; Zhang, Hanwen; Ma, Mingyang; He, Yue; Jia, Jing; Hu, Qiang; Gong, Yingchun |
| Journal： | BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY |
| Years： | 2022 |
| DOI： | 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127460 |
| Abstract： | The diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is considered a promising cell factory for high-value products fucoxanthin and EPA. But its potential has not been realized due largely to microbial contamination. In this study, seven protozoan strains were identified, of which a heterolobosean amoeba was identified as the most frequently occurring and destructive predator in P. tricornutum culture. The addition of 400 mg L-1 NH4HCO3 inhibited amoeba proliferation with little impact on algal growth. Halting culture mixing at night induced a hypoxia environment that further inhibited amoeba growth. Regardless of culture systems employed, a periodical supply of proper amounts of NH4HCO3 alone or in combination with halting culture mixing at night may prevent or treat protozoa contamination in mass culture of P. tricornutum. |
