Project Title

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Project leader

Development of technology for astaxanthin production from green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialisin photobioreactor system

FIRST- Ngân hàng Thế giới (WB)

2016

2017

Faculty of Biotechnology
Nguyễn Đức Bách
Email: ndbach@vnua.edu.vn

Rationale and objective

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid synthesized at high level in green algaeHaematococcuspluvialis. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with natural red pigment. That is the reason why it is indispensable in husbandry, aquaculture. Astaxanthin enhances the quality and provides the natural red colour of egg yolks, shrimp, crab and salmon. Astaxanthin current cost more than $5000/kg raw powder.

Due to lack of technology for astaxanthin production, currently, there is no Vietnamese company producing astaxanthin for the market. Based on a model for algae culture in VNUA, experts from Israel will transfer knowledge and technology to setup a photobioreactor system for astaxanthin production fromHaematococcuspluvialis.

Outputs

1)A photobioreactor system forHaematococcus pluvialisas a model for technology transfer.

2)Completed process for the production of astaxanthin rich biomass and technology for astaxanthin extraction.