Reaction engineering analysis of Dunaliella salina for the production of β-carotene at physically simulated climate conditions

Lara Wolf, doctoral thesis Technical University of Munich, 2021

Dunaliella salina was examined in flat-plate reactors at dynamic climate conditions. The growth kinetic was identified as a function of light availability. β-Carotene could already be produced during growth. Under suitable conditions, β-carotene content could be doubled subsequently. The addition of tensides to batch processes in thin-layer cascade photobioreactors reduced undesired biofilm formation. Product extraction was successful directly from the microalgal suspension in a centrifugal extractor.

Publications

• Wolf L, Cummings T, Müller K, Reppke M, Volkmar M, Weuster-Botz D (2020): Production of β-carotene with Dunaliella salina CCAP19/18 at physically simulated outdoor conditions. Eng Life Sci 21: 115-125.
• Koller A, Wolf L, Brück T, Weuster-Botz D (2018): Studies on the scale-up of biomass production with Scenedesmus sp. in flat-plate gas-lift photobioreactors. Bioproc Biosys Eng 41: 213–220.
• Koller AP, Wolf L, Weuster-Botz D (2017): Reaction engineering analysis of Scenedesmus ovalternus in a flat-plate gas-lift photobioreactor. Biores Technol 225: 165–174.