Dunaliella Sampling, Isolation, Identification, Culture Maintenance and Analytical Methods

Demand for skills to isolate, cultivate, harvest and process the microalga Dunaliella for glycerol and β-carotene, protein and a range of other high value nutraceuticals is expected to increase for the following reasons:

Sustainability:

Natural populations of Dunaliella grow in non-potable, highly saline environments that typify the salt pans and desalination waters. Environments such as are found in the coastal regions of Namibia, Ghana and South Africa provide an opportunity for the development of new sustainable non-food biomass businesses and supply chains based on the cultivation of Dunaliella.

Scanning electron micrograph of Dunaliella alga showing two swimming flagellae. Size ~20 microns Climate change and CO2 fixation:
Dunaliella fixes CO2 in photosynthesis: available estimates suggest 100 t of algae will fix ca.183 t CO2

Glycerol as a sustainable renewable biofuel and chemical feedstock: Dunaliella produces up to 40-50% of its mass as glycerol, which can be used as a biofuel in an internal combustion engine, and as a green feedstock for the synthesis of epichlorohydrin, 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol and hydrogen. Glycerol can be sourced from biodiesel manufacture using plant oil (approximately 10% by weight of plant oil), and projected production in Europe over the next five years is estimated to be between 1 and 1.2 million tonnes. However if the continued expansion of its production as a biofuel were to be based solely on sources of plant oil, the tensions around use of agricultural land, either for biofuel or for food production are likely to be exacerbated.

β-carotene:

Dunaliella is currently cultivated commercially for β-carotene, the content of which vastly exceeds that found in many land plants. β-carotene accounts for about 10% of the dry cell weight. FDA approval for Dunaliella as a source of β-carotene was granted in 2008 (GRAS Notification Dunaliella Bardawil Food Usage Conditions for General Recognition of Safety Dec 2008 for NIKKEN SOHONSHA CORPORATION).

Useful Dunaliella protocols

Dunaliella analytical methods

Glycerol determination and glycerol assay (courtesy A Ben-Amotz)
Chlorophyll and carotenoids assay (courtesy A Ben-Amotz)
Beta-Carotene assay (courtesy A Ben-Amotz)
Phosphate assay (courtesy A Ben-Amotz)
Total CO₂(courtesy A Ben-Amotz)

African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Science and Technology Programme
Grant Contract: FED/2009/217066

This Action is funded under the ACP Science and Technology Programme

(http://www.acp-st.eu/about/)

by the European Union and implemented by the ACP Secretariat.

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