U.S. patent application number 14/795675 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for methods for treating a culture of haematococcus pluvialis for contamination using salt and hydrogen peroxide.
The applicant listed for this patent is HELIAE DEVELOPMENT LLC. Invention is credited to Laura Carney, Kristine Sorensen.
Application Number | 20160281050 14/795675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53838256 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160281050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carney; Laura ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
METHODS FOR TREATING A CULTURE OF HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS FOR
CONTAMINATION USING SALT AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Abstract
Methods of treating contamination, particularly fungal
contamination, in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen
peroxide and salt are described herein. The method comprises dosing
the culture comprising a concentration of salt with a concentration
of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the
culturing process and at a frequency to increase the likelihood of
the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids,
such as astaxanthin, is complete.
Inventors: |
Carney; Laura; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Sorensen; Kristine; (Chandler, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HELIAE DEVELOPMENT LLC |
GILBERT |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53838256 |
Appl. No.: |
14/795675 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14667917 |
Mar 25, 2015 |
9113607 |
|
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14795675 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12P 33/00 20130101;
C12P 23/00 20130101; G01N 2333/405 20130101; C12Q 1/06 20130101;
C12N 1/38 20130101; C12Q 1/02 20130101; C12N 1/12 20130101; A01N
59/08 20130101; C12Q 1/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C12N 1/12 20060101
C12N001/12; C12Q 1/06 20060101 C12Q001/06 |
Claims
1. A method of culturing Haematococcus pluvialis, comprising: a.
Culturing a population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in
reddening conditions in a liquid culture medium comprising 1-5 ppt
of sodium chloride to obtain a culture of Haematococcus pluvialis
cells in which the cells are primarily in a cyst stage; and b.
Contacting the primarily cyst cell stage culture with hydrogen
peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the range of
0.005-0.020 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of culture medium
(mL/L).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyst stage comprises at least
one selected from the group consisting of green cysts and red cysts
accumulating carotenoids.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium chloride is present in
the liquid culture medium at a concentration of 1-3 ppt.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sodium chloride is present in
the liquid culture medium at a concentration of 1-2 ppt.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide is in the range of 0.005-0.010 mL/L.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide is in the range of 0.010-0.015 mL/L.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide is in the range of 0.015-0.020 mL/L.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: a.
Determining a level of chytrids in the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells as a percentage infected cells out of the total
cells in a culture.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells is contacted with the hydrogen peroxide when the
level of chytrids is less than 20%.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells is contacted with the hydrogen peroxide when the
level of chytrids is at least 5%.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the level of chytrids in the
culture is maintained below the level of chytrids at the time of
contact with hydrogen peroxide while culturing the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in reddening conditions to produce cells in the red
cyst stage for the accumulation of carotenoids.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the chytrid level after
contacting the culture with the hydrogen peroxide is 10-95% less
than a control culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen
peroxide.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the cells are contacted with the
hydrogen peroxide multiple times.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cells are contacted with
the hydrogen peroxide every 6-24 hours.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cells are contacted with
the hydrogen peroxide every 6-12 hours.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cells are contacted with
the hydrogen peroxide every 6-8 hours.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the cells are contacted with
the hydrogen peroxide every day over the course of 1-14 days.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the cells are contacted with
hydrogen peroxide every other day over the course of 3-15 days.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide
is equivalent to or greater than a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide
is 0.01-0.30 g/L greater than a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/667,917, filed Mar. 31, 2015, entitled Methods for Treating
a Culture of Haematococcus pluvialis for Contamination Using
Hydrogen Peroxide, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Haematococcus is a microalga that is capable of producing
astaxanthin, a high value carotenoid with antioxidant properties.
The culturing process from beginning to end is relatively long
compared to other common microalgae, such as Chlorella or
Nannochloropsis, and results in a number of challenges to the
survival of Haematococcus cells due to the nature of Haematococcus
as a slow growing microalga. Over the course of the culturing
process, the Haematococcus cells must go through a growth and cell
division phase to accumulate biomass before entering a second stage
where growth and motility is halted but astaxanthin is accumulated
in the cells before harvest. Operating this long multi-stage
culturing process as an open culture increases exposure of the
cells to the dangers of contamination, a sub-optimal environment,
or other conditions which reduce the survival rate of the cells and
ultimately the quantity and quality of the astaxanthin harvest.
[0003] Developing treatments for increasing the survival rate of
Haematococcus cultures must take into account the sensitivities of
the cells at the different stages, impact on biomass growth, and
impact on astaxanthin production, as well as effectiveness of the
treatment over the long culturing process. Treatments developed for
faster growing microalgae or microalgae cultured for production of
whole biomass, lipids, or proteins, such as treatment with
oxidative agents or commercially available herbicides, fungicides,
and pesticides, have not been shown to be easily translatable to
Haematococcus cultures due to the unique stages of the
Haematococcus culturing process, the sensitivities of Haematococcus
cells, and the desire to use the targeted end product of
Haematococcus cultures in human consumption product industries
(e.g., nutritional supplements, food enhancers, therapeutic
compositions). Therefore, there is a need in the art to development
treatment methods for increasing the survival rate of Haematococcus
cells before and during the astaxanthin accumulation stage, without
adversely affecting the cells and value of the end product.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of
culturing Haematococcus pluvialis, may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in growth conditions in
a liquid culture medium to obtain a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in which the cells are primarily in the green
swimmer stage; contacting the primarily green swimmer stage culture
with hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the
range of 0.005-0.020 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of culture
medium (mL/L); and culturing the Haematococcus pluvialis cells in
reddening conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage for
accumulation of carotenoids.
[0005] In some embodiments, the calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide may be in the range of 0.005-0.010 mL/L. In some
embodiments, the calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide may
be in the range of 0.010-0.015 mL/L. In some embodiments, the
calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide is in the range of
0.015-0.020 mL/L.
[0006] In some embodiments, the growth conditions may comprise a
photosynthetically active radiation intensity in the range of 30-60
mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1, nitrate concentration in the range of 20-50
ppm in the culture medium, and less than 1 ppt of sodium chloride
in the culture medium. In some embodiments, the reddening
conditions may comprise the present of 1-5 ppt sodium chloride in
the culture medium.
[0007] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
determining a level of chytrids in the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells as a percentage of infected cells out of the total
cells in a culture. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells may be contacted with the hydrogen
peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 20%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells is
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is
at least 5%.
[0008] In some embodiments, the level of chytrids in the culture
may be maintained below the level of chytrids at the time of
contact with hydrogen peroxide while culturing the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in reddening conditions to produce cells in the red
cyst stage for the accumulation of carotenoids. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be 20-95% less than a control culture not
receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0009] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with the
hydrogen peroxide multiple times. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with the hydrogen peroxide every 6-24 hours. In
some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with the hydrogen
peroxide every 6-12 hours. In some embodiments, the cells may be
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide every day over the course of
1-14 days. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide every other day over the course of 3-15 days.
[0010] In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide may be
equivalent to or greater than a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass
yield of the Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the
hydrogen peroxide may be 0.01-0.25 g/L greater than a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0011] In some embodiments, the carotenoids yield of the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide
may be equivalent to or greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments,
the carotenoid yield of the Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted
with the hydrogen peroxide may be 0.10-1.50% greater than a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Overview
[0012] Haematococcus is a genus of microalgae classified in the
Eukaryota domain, Viridiplantae kingdom, Chlorophyta phylum,
Chlorophyceae class, Chlamydomonadales order, and Haematococcaceae
family. The species Haematococcus pluvialis is typically grown in
phototrophic conditions and is of particular interest commercially
for the production of astaxanthin, a high value carotenoid (i.e.,
organic pigment) with strong antioxidant properties. While
Haematococcus pluvialis produces astaxanthin, the level of
astaxanthin in the cell is dependent on the culturing conditions
and is not present at a constant level in the cell over the life of
the cell.
[0013] Haematococcus pluvialis has been studied academically and
produced commercially, and thus conventional culture conditions may
be found in literature in the public domain. A culture of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells begins in growth conditions, where
the cells are primarily (i.e., at least 80% of cells) in the green
swimmer stage in which the cells may grow and divide but have low
levels of astaxanthin. The term "green swimmer" refers to a state
of the Haematococcus pluvialis cell in which the cell is in a
motile state, contains cilia, and has a larger proportion of
chlorophyll (i.e., green pigment) than carotenoids (i.e., red
pigment from astaxanthin). Haematococcus pluvialis cells may also
exist in a non-motile or cyst stage when the cell has a larger
proportion of chlorophyll (i.e., green pigment) than carotenoids
(i.e., red pigment from astaxanthin), which may be referred to as a
"green cyst". The term "growth conditions" refers to culture
conditions that facilitate the growth and cell division of the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells, and minimize the stressors that may
cause a cell to enter a resting state. Growth conditions for
Haematococcus pluvialis cells may comprise light in the
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) wavelengths, carbon
dioxide, and a liquid medium comprising primarily water, nitrogen,
phosphorus and trace metal nutrients.
[0014] As Haematococcus pluvialis cells mature, they transition to
a red cyst stage where cell division halts or slows but astaxanthin
is accumulated as the cell is stressed by reddening conditions. The
term "red cyst" refers to a state of the Haematococcus pluvialis
cell in which the cell is in a resting state, has lost the cilia,
and has a larger proportion of carotenoids (i.e., red pigment from
astaxanthin) than chlorophyll (i.e., green pigment). The term
"reddening conditions" refers to culture conditions that stress the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells to facilitate the transition to a
resting state and accumulation of carotenoids (e.g., astaxanthin)
in the cells. Reddening conditions for Haematococcus pluvialis may
comprise nitrogen or other nutrient deprivation, addition of
bi-carbonate, addition of bleach, and increased levels of salinity,
light intensity, and/or temperature as compared to growth
conditions.
[0015] Due to the size of Haematococcus cells, the culture is
actively mixed by means known in the art such as, but not limited
to, paddlewheels, gas sparging, and mechanical stirrers, in order
to prevent the cells from settling to the bottom of the bioreactor
and to circulate the cells for exposure to available light and
nutrients. Haematococcus pluvialis may be cultured in a number of
systems known in the art that meet the shear sensitivity
requirements for green swimmer cells such as, but not limited to,
column bioreactors with gas sparger mixing, raceway pond
bioreactors with paddlewheel mixing, and bag bioreactors with gas
sparger mixing.
[0016] The process of culturing a small volume Haematococcus
culture through the green swimmer stage to a large volume in the
red cyst stage may take weeks due to the slow rate at which
Haematococcus grows, divides, and accumulates carotenoids. During
this time period the Haematococcus cells are vulnerable to
weakening of the physical integrity of the cells (e.g., lysis) and
to attacks by contamination (e.g., bacteria, fungi, predator
organisms, other microalgae) which reduce the chances of
Haematococcus survival in both the green swimmer and red cyst
stages. The term "lysis" refers to Haematococcus pluvialis cells
losing the integrity of the cell membrane and breaking open the
outside of the halo or lysing the internal cytoplasm without halo
breakage, and is expressed as a % of the total Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in the culture.
[0017] For example, the occurrence of lysis in the green swimmer
stage and a chytrid infection in the non-motile cell stages,
including green and red cyst stage, have been observed to rapidly
kill the majority of Haematococcus cells in a culture. Chytrids are
a basal fungus which operates by attaching to microalgae cells,
growing into the microalgae cell, reproducing in the cell, and
subsequently attacking more microalgae cells. Such a loss of a
Haematococcus culture after resources have been expended to culture
the cells for multiple days or weeks, but before a harvest of the
cells with a desirable level of astaxanthin can be obtained, may be
devastating for a commercial operation. The vulnerability of the
Haematococcus cells is further amplified in open cultures (e.g.,
open pond bioreactors), where conditions are harder to control and
contamination is more easily introduced.
[0018] The length of the culturing process for Haematococcus
increases the necessity for treatments to the culture be capable of
application multiple times over the course of the culturing process
without harming the Haematococcus cells, or application of a high
initial concentration that remains effective for a long period but
does not harm the Haematococcus cells at the initial application.
Treatments where the Haematococcus could not tolerate a one-time
application at an initial concentration high enough to maintain
effectiveness against contamination over time, or where multiple
applications would accumulate a concentration level toxic to the
Haematococcus would not achieve the goal of getting the culture to
a successful harvest. Additionally, the sensitivity of the
Haematococcus cells is dependent on the stage or state of the
cells, with the green swimmer cells being more sensitive than the
red cyst cells. For example, lysis is more likely to occur within a
culture of green swimmer cells than in a culture of red cyst cells,
and green swimmer cells are less tolerant of salt than red cyst
cells. A general treatment may only be effective for one stage of a
Haematococcus culture or may be harmful to cells in a certain
state, therefore a successful treatment over the life of a
Haematococcus culture must take into account the state of the cells
in order to maximize effectiveness and minimize or eliminate
adverse effects on the cells.
[0019] Tests of available treatments, including chemical biocides,
blends of natural organic herbs, bleach, sodium hydroxide, and
biological agents were found to have varying levels of
effectiveness against chytrids in examples 13-17. However, the
public domain knowledge for these available treatments does not
address how these treatments will affect Haematococcus cells in the
green swimmer and red cyst stages, and therefore do not provide
immediately available solutions to the described challenges faced
in culturing Haematococcus.
[0020] Known methods of adaptation or genetic modification may be
used to alter the Haematococcus cells for increased resistance to
lysis or contamination, however the process may be long and
expensive. Additionally, genetic modification may limit product
markets available for using the Haematococcus derived
astaxanthin.
[0021] The inventors have developed the described methods specific
to the green swimmer and cyst stages, including red cysts and green
cysts, for use in the contexts of prevention of lysis or fungal
infection of a Haematococcus culture and treating a culture of
Haematococcus cells with existing levels of lysis or fungal
infection. Some embodiments of the methods may be used multiple
times to treat the same culture of Haematococcus, including
treating the same culture multiple times in a single day, while
minimizing or eliminating any negative effect on the biomass yield
and carotenoid yield of the cells.
[0022] The inventors surprisingly found that treatment of a culture
of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide was successful in
preventing and treating lysis in a culture of Haematococcus cells
without negatively effecting biomass accumulation and productivity
of the cells, even when administered multiple times. The inventors
also surprisingly found that treatments of a culture of
Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide, salt, or hydrogen
peroxide in combination with salt were successful in preventing and
treating a chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus cells
without negatively affecting biomass accumulation, productivity,
and carotenoid accumulation, even when administered multiple times.
Hydrogen peroxide was also found to be advantageous due to the
ability to dissipate quickly in the Haematococcus culture (e.g.,
degrades to undetectable levels within 2 hours of application),
which allows multiple applications to be applied without the danger
of buildup of residual concentrations or detection in the final
harvested product. Salt was treatments were found to be
advantageous in that the concentration of salt in the culture may
be a result of an single dosing at a desired concentration or
multiple doses building up to the desired concentration, but remain
effective over time without determinant to the Haematococcus cells
or harvested product.
[0023] Hydrogen peroxide may be purchased commercially at different
stock concentrations, therefore a calculated concentration was used
to describe the inventive methods. The term "calculated
concentration" is a concentration value for a contamination
treatment solution calculated by multiplying the volume of the
treatment solution per culture volume (e.g., mL of hydrogen
peroxide/L of microalgae culture medium) by the percent stock
concentration of the contamination treatment solution. The
calculated concentration expressed is in units of volume/volume
(e.g., mL/L) for a theoretical 100% stock concentration of
treatment solution applied to a microalgae culture. For example, a
1 L microalgae culture treated with 10 mL of a hydrogen peroxide
solution of a stock concentration of 50% would have a calculated
concentration=10 mL/L.times.0.5=5 mL/L contamination treatment
solution.
[0024] The described methods of applying an effective concentration
of hydrogen peroxide, salt, or combination of hydrogen peroxide and
salt to a culture of Haematococcus may prevent the occurrence of
lysis or a chytrid infection, prevent an increase in the lysis or
chytrid infection level (i.e., maintain the level), slow the
increase of the lysis or chytrid infection level, or decrease the
lysis or chytrid infection level in order to increase the survival
rate of the Haematococcus cells and decrease any negative effect on
the accumulation of astaxanthin. The level of tolerance a culture
of Haematococcus has for lysis or chytrids may vary depending on
the strain, culture conditions, and bioreactor system. Some
cultures may be able to survive a lysis or chytrid infection level
above 50%, while other cultures may only survive at lower levels
such as below 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5%.
[0025] While the prior art has generally disclosed the presence of
hydrogen peroxide in a microalgae or cyanobacteria culture for a
variety of functions, the teachings of the prior art relate to the
use of hydrogen peroxide in contexts not directly translatable to
culturing Haematococcus for astaxanthin product, such as:
sterilizing bioreactors with vapor hydrogen peroxide and culturing
cyanobacteria genetically modified for resistance to the residual
hydrogen peroxide (0.0024-1.1790 mL/L) from the bioreactor
sterilization step; killing bacteria in a microalgae culture with
intermittent doses of hydrogen peroxide (0.00001-0.2 mL/L,
0.0590-0.7074 mL/L); and providing lethal stress conditions for
programmed death of a genetically modified microalgae using
hydrogen peroxide (at least 0.1769 mL/L). The wide ranges of
hydrogen peroxide for different purposes disclosed in the prior art
do not address effective concentrations that treat or prevent lysis
and fungal infections while avoiding adverse effects on
Haematococcus in green swimmer and red cyst cell stages. Due to
this deficiency in the publically available information, such
determinations for the proper concentrations of hydrogen peroxide
and methods of application for Haematococcus cells in various
stages of the culturing process were determined through extensive
experimentation of two different Haematococcus pluvialis strains by
the inventors. Additionally, the extensive experimentation by the
inventors resulted in the methods of effectively promoting survival
of Haematococcus cells through prevention and treatment of lysis
and fungal infections while also not adversely affecting biomass
accumulation, productivity, and carotenoid accumulation of the
cells, which is an additional step of commercial importance not
addressed by the prior art.
Method Embodiments
[0026] In one non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing
and/or treating a chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus
may comprise: culturing a population of Haematococcus cells in
growth conditions in a liquid culture medium to obtain a culture of
Haematococcus cells in which the cells are primarily (i.e., at
least 80%) in the green swimmer stage; contacting the primarily
green swimmer cell stage culture with an effective amount of
hydrogen peroxide; and culturing the Haematococcus cells in
reddening conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage for the
accumulation of carotenoids, such as astaxanthin.
[0027] In some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated concentration
in the range of 0.005-0.025 mL/L. In some embodiments, the
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide to form
a calculated concentration in the range of 0.005-0.020 mL/L. In
some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the range
of 0.005-0.010 mL/L. In some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated
concentration in the range of 0.010-0.015 mL/L. In some
embodiments, the Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the range of
0.015-0.020 mL/L. In some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells may
be contacted with hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated
concentration in the range of 0.020-0.025 mL/L.
[0028] The hydrogen peroxide may be in liquid form. In some
embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide may be introduced into the
culture at a location of active mixing such as, but not limited to
at the point of paddlewheel or mechanical stifling, and a point of
high turbulence caused by gas sparging. In some embodiments, the
hydrogen peroxide may be added all at a single point. In some
embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide may be evenly applied over a
surface area.
[0029] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide multiple times. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide multiple times while the
cells are in the green swimmer stage. In some embodiments, the
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide multiple times while
the cells are in the red cyst stage. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide multiple times while the
cell stages span the green swimmer and red cyst stage. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted multiple times while the
culture is in growth conditions. In some embodiments, the cells may
be contacted multiple times while the culture is in reddening
conditions. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted
multiple times while the culture conditions span growth and
reddening conditions.
[0030] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide 2-4 times per day. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every 6-24 hours. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every 6-8 hours. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide every 6-12 hours. In some embodiments, the
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every 12-18 hours. In
some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every 18-24 hours.
[0031] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide every day over the course of 1-14 days. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every day over the course of 1-2 days. In some embodiments, the
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every day over the
course of 1-3 days. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide every day over the course of 1-5 days. In
some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every day over the course of 5-7 days. In some embodiments, the
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every day over the
course of 7-10 days. In some embodiments, the cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide every day over the course of 10-12
days. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide every day over the course of 12-14 days.
[0032] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide every 24-72 hours. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every 36-60 hours. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every 42-54 hours. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide every other day over the course of 3-15
days. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide every other day over the course of 3-5 days. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every other day over the course of 5-7 days. In some embodiments,
the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every other day
over the course of 7-9 days. In some embodiments, the cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide every other day over the course of
9-11 days. In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with
hydrogen peroxide every other day over the course of 11-13 days. In
some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
every other day over the course of 13-15 days.
[0033] In some embodiments, the cells may contacted with hydrogen
peroxide in a combination of days over an extended time period,
such as every day for a period of days and then every other day for
a period of days, or vis versa. For example, the cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide every day for a period of 1-5 days
and then every other day for a period of 3-15 days. In other
embodiments, the cells may contacted with hydrogen peroxide with
more than one day in between applications, such as but not limited
to, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, or more between
applications. In some embodiments, an application of hydrogen
peroxide at a scheduled time (e.g., after 6 hours, after 24 hours)
may be skipped and application may be resumed at a later time.
[0034] In some embodiments, the growth conditions for a culture of
Haematococcus may comprise a photosynthetically active radiation
(PAR) intensity in the range of 30-60 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1. In
some embodiments, the growth conditions for a culture of
Haematococcus may comprise a nitrate concentration in the range of
20-50 ppm. In some embodiments, the growth conditions for a culture
of Haematococcus may comprise a concentration of less than 1 ppt
salt, such as sodium chloride, in the culture medium.
[0035] In some embodiments, the reddening conditions for a culture
of Haematococcus may comprise the presence of salt in the culture
medium. In some embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride
in the reddening conditions may comprise 1-5 ppt. In some
embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride in the reddening
conditions may comprise 1-2 ppt. In some embodiments, the
concentration of sodium chloride in the reddening conditions may
comprise 1-3 ppt. The salt may comprise but is not limited to
sodium chloride.
[0036] In some embodiments, a level of chytrids or chytrid
infection in a culture of Haematococcus may be determined and
expressed as a percentage of infected cells out of the total cells
in a culture. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
chytrids is less than 60%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when
the level of chytrids is less than 50%. In some embodiments, the
culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 40%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 30%.
In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is less
than 20%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids
is less than 10%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
chytrids is less than 5%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when
the level of chytrids is less than 3%. In some embodiments, the
culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 2%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 1%.
In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is
0%.
[0037] In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may
be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is
at least 1%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
chytrids is at least 2%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when
the level of chytrids is at least 5%. In some embodiments, the
culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide when the level of chytrids is at least 10%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is at least 20%.
In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is at
least 30%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids
is at least 40%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
chytrids is at least 50%. In some embodiments, the level of
chytrids in a culture of Haematococcus cells may be maintained
below the level of chytrids at the time of contact with hydrogen
peroxide while culturing the Haematococcus cells in reddening
conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage for the accumulation
of carotenoids.
[0038] In some embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the
culture with hydrogen peroxide may be less than a control culture
not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 20-95% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 20-30% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 30-40% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 40-50% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 50-60% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 60-70% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 70-80% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 80-90% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be reduced by 90-95% compared to a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0039] In some embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the
culture with hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt may be less
than a control culture not receiving treatment. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt may be reduced by 10-95%
compared to a control culture not receiving treatment. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt may be reduced by 10-30%
compared to a control culture not receiving treatment. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt may be reduced by 30-60%
compared to a control culture not receiving treatment. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt may be reduced by 60-95%
compared to a control culture not receiving treatment.
[0040] In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the Haematococcus
cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to or greater
than a control culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen
peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.01-0.25
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.01-0.05
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.05-0.10
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.10-0.15
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.15-0.20
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.20-0.25
g/L greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide.
[0041] In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the Haematococcus
cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide in combination with salt is
equivalent to or greater than a control culture not receiving
treatment. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide in combination
with salt is 0.01-0.30 g/L greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide in combination
with salt is 0.01-0.10 g/L greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide in combination
with salt is 0.10-0.20 g/L greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment. In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide in combination
with salt is 0.20-0.30 g/L greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment.
[0042] In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is equivalent
to or greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.10-1.50%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.10-0.25%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.25-0.50%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.50-0.75%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 0.75-1.00%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 1.00-1.25%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the carotenoid yield of the
Haematococcus cells contacted with hydrogen peroxide is 1.25-1.50%
greater than a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide.
[0043] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
transferring the culture of Haematococcus cells to a new culturing
vessel after contacting the culture with the hydrogen peroxide. In
some embodiments, the culture may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide when the culture is at an optimal temperature. In some
embodiments, the culture may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide
when the culture is at an optimal culture density.
[0044] In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing
and/or treating a chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus
may comprise: culturing a population of Haematococcus cells in
reddening conditions in a liquid culture medium comprising 1-5 ppt
of salt to obtain a culture of Haematococcus cells in which the
cells are primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in the red cyst stage for
the accumulation of carotenoids, such as astaxanthin; and
contacting the primarily red cyst cell stage culture with an
effective amount of hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the
Haematococcus cells in which the cells may be primarily (i.e., at
least 80%) in the green cyst stage in reddening conditions, a
combination of green and red cysts in reddening conditions, or a
non-motile state in reddening conditions when contacted with an
effective amount of hydrogen peroxide.
[0045] In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of treating a
chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus may comprise:
culturing a population of Haematococcus cells in reddening
conditions in a liquid culture medium to obtain a culture of
Haematococcus cells in which the cells are primarily (i.e., at
least 80%) in the red cyst stage for the accumulation of
carotenoids, such as astaxanthin; detecting a presence of chytrids
in the culture; and contacting the culture comprising chytrids and
primarily red cyst cells with an effective amount of salt. In some
embodiments, the Haematococcus cells in which the cells may be
primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in the green cyst stage in reddening
conditions, a combination of green and red cysts in reddening
conditions, or a non-motile state in reddening conditions when
contacted with an effective amount of salt.
[0046] In some embodiments, the salt contacting the chytrids and
red cyst cells may be sodium chloride. In some embodiments, the
effective amount of sodium chloride is at least 1.5 times the
amount of sodium chloride found in typical reddening conditions,
and may be up to 10 times. In some embodiments, the concentration
of sodium chloride contacting the chytrids and red cyst cells may
be 1-20 ppt. In some embodiments, the concentration of sodium
chloride contacting the chytrids and red cyst cells may be 1-2 ppt.
In some embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride
contacting the chytrids and red cyst cells may be 1-3 ppt. In some
embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride contacting the
chytrids and red cyst cells may be 1-5 ppt. In some embodiments,
the concentration of sodium chloride contacting the chytrids and
red cyst cells may be 5-10 ppt. In some embodiments, the
concentration of sodium chloride contacting the chytrids and red
cyst cells may be 10-15 ppt. In some embodiments, the concentration
of sodium chloride contacting the chytrids and red cyst cells may
be 15-20 ppt.
[0047] In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may
be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids
is less than 60%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by
chytrids is less than 50%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when a level of
cells infected by chytrids is less than 40%. In some embodiments,
the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when
a level of cells infected by chytrids is less than 30%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is less than
20%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is
less than 10%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by
chytrids is less than 5%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when a level of
cells infected by chytrids is less than 4%. In some embodiments,
the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when
a level of cells infected by chytrids is less than 3%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is less than
2%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is
less than 1%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by
chytrids is 0%. In some embodiments, the level of chytrids in the
culture may be maintained below the level of chytrids at the time
of contact with the salt while culturing the Haematococcus cells in
reddening conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage for the
accumulation of carotenoids.
[0048] In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may
be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids
is at least 1%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by
chytrids is at least 2%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when a level of
cells infected by chytrids is at least 5%. In some embodiments, the
culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when a
level of cells infected by chytrids is at least 10%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is at least
20%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is
at least 30%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by
chytrids is at least 40%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with salt when a level of
cells infected by chytrids is at least 50%.
[0049] In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing a
chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus may comprise:
culturing a population of Haematococcus cells in a liquid culture
medium; determining a number of Haematococcus cells infected with
chytrids in the culture; contacting the culture with an effective
amount of hydrogen peroxide when the percentage of Haematococcus
cells infected with chytrids is less than a threshold level of the
total cells; continuing to culture the Haematococcus cells; and
verifying that a percentage of Haematococcus cells infected with
chytrids is less than a threshold level of the total cells after
contact with the hydrogen peroxide.
[0050] In some embodiments, the threshold level of cells infected
with chytrids may be 1% of the total cells. In some embodiments,
the threshold level of cells infected with chytrids may be 2% of
the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold level of cells
infected with chytrids may be 3% of the total cells. In some
embodiments, the threshold level of cells infected with chytrids
may be 4% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold
level of cells infected with chytrids may be 5% of the total cells.
In some embodiments, the threshold level of cells infected with
chytrids may be 10% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the
threshold level of cells infected with chytrids may be 15% of the
total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold level of cells
infected with chytrids may be 20% of the total cells. In some
embodiments, the threshold level of cells infected with chytrids
may be 25% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold
level of cells infected with chytrids may be 30% of the total
cells.
[0051] In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing
and/or treating lysis in a culture of Haematococcus may comprise:
culturing a population of Haematococcus cells in a liquid culture
medium in growth conditions to obtain a culture of Haematococcus
cells in which the cells are primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in the
green swimmer stage; contacting the primarily green swimmer cell
stage culture with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide prior
to the formation of cell cysts; and continuing to culture the
Haematococcus cells in growth conditions.
[0052] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
determining a level of lysis in the culture of Haematococcus cells
as a percentage of the total cells in the culture. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is less than 30%. In
some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is less
than 25%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is
less than 20%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
lysis is less than 15%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when
the level of lysis is less than 10%. In some embodiments, the
culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen
peroxide when the level of lysis is less than 5%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be contacted
with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is less than 4%. In
some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells may be
contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is less
than 3%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus cells
may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is
less than 2%. In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when the level of
lysis is less than 1%. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide when
the level of lysis is 0%.
[0053] In some embodiments, the level of lysis in the culture may
be maintained at or below the level of lysis at the time of contact
with hydrogen peroxide while continuing to culture the
Haematococcus cells in growth conditions. In some embodiments, the
lysis level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may
be 1-80% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
1-3% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
3-6% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
6-10% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
10-20% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
20-40% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
40-60% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the lysis
level of the culture after contact with hydrogen peroxide may be
60-80% less than a lysis level in a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0054] In some embodiments, the method may comprise determining a
live bacteria count in the culture of Haematococcus cells. In some
embodiments, the live bacteria count may be reduced by
10-25.times.10.sup.5 CFU/mL after contact with the hydrogen
peroxide. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may be
reduced by 10-15.times.10.sup.5 CFU/mL after contact with the
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may
be reduced by 15-20.times.10.sup.5 CFU/mL after contact with the
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may
be reduced by 20-25.times.10.sup.5 CFU/mL after contact with the
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may
be maintained below 10.sup.7 CFU/mL following contact with the
hydrogen peroxide.
[0055] In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing
lysis in a culture of Haematococcus may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus cells in a liquid culture medium in
growth conditions to obtain a culture of Haematococcus cells in
which the cells are primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in the green
swimmer stage; determining a level of cell lysis for the
Haematococcus cells; contacting the primarily green swimmer cell
stage culture with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide prior
to the formation of cell cysts when the lysis level of the
Haematococcus cells is less than a threshold level; continuing to
culture the Haematococcus cells in growth conditions; and verifying
that the level of lysis of Haematococcus cells is less than the
threshold level after contact with the hydrogen peroxide.
[0056] In some embodiments, the threshold lysis level may be 1% of
the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold lysis level may
be 2% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold lysis
level may be 3% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the
threshold lysis level may be 4% of the total cells. In some
embodiments, the threshold lysis level may be 5% of the total
cells. In some embodiments, the threshold lysis level may be 10% of
the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold lysis level may
be 15% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the threshold lysis
level may be 20% of the total cells. In some embodiments, the
threshold lysis level may be 25% of the total cells. In some
embodiments, the threshold lysis level may be 30% of the total
cells.
[0057] In some embodiments, the described methods may be applied to
an open culture of Haematococcus. In some embodiments, the
described methods may be applied to an outdoor culture of
Haematococcus. In some embodiments, the described methods may be
applied to a closed culture of Haematococcus. In some embodiments,
the described methods may be applied to an indoor culture of
Haematococcus.
[0058] The use of hydrogen peroxide and/or salt in the described
methods does not function as a further stress to the Haematococcus
cells for the accumulation of astaxanthin, but rather provides the
function of prevention and treatment of lysis and chytrid
infections to increase the survival of the Haematococcus cells. The
application of the described methods to a culture of Haematococcus
in a batch process also does not provide the necessary time period
to adapt the Haematococcus cells for increased resistance to lysis
or fungal infections, which would require many applications over
multiple generations coupled with selection of the positively
performing cells.
[0059] The level of lysis, level of chytrid infection, and stage of
the Haematococcus cells may be assessed by means known in the art
such as, but not limited to, visual observation under a microscope,
or automated monitoring with cameras and visual recognition
software, spectrometers, or fluorimeters. The monitoring and
detection of the Haematococcus culture, whether manual or
automated, may be used to determine when the hydrogen peroxide
and/or salt of the described methods is administered to a culture
by manual means, automated means, and combinations thereof.
Automated monitoring and detection data may also be recorded or
utilized by a programmable logic controller to control the
application of hydrogen peroxide and/or salt to a culture of cells.
Visual observation under a microscope of the Haematococcus cultures
using the described methods in tests also showed that the methods
aided in breaking up filamentous fungus and lowering the background
bacteria population of the culture, which may contribute to
lysis.
[0060] In some embodiments, a microalgae culture composition may
comprise: a population of Haematococcus cells in a liquid culture
medium; and a calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the
range of 0.005-0.025 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of culture
medium (mL/L), wherein the hydrogen peroxide has been added to the
culture medium in the previous 120 minutes. In further embodiments,
the culture may comprise a concentration of 1-20 ppt of sodium
chloride. In some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells of the
culture composition may be primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in the
green swimmer stage. In some embodiments, the Haematococcus cells
of the culture composition may be primarily (i.e., at least 80%) in
the red cyst stage.
EXAMPLES
[0061] Embodiments of the invention are exemplified and additional
embodiments are disclosed in further detail in the following
Examples, which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of
any aspects of the invention described herein. Within these
Examples two different strains of Haematococcus pluvialis were
tested and are identified as "Strain 1" and "Strain 2",
respectively.
Example 1
[0062] Experiments were conducted to determine the degradation rate
of hydrogen peroxide in a culture of Haematococcus pluvialis. An
Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide Kit (CAT. No. A22188), commercially
available from Life Technologies (Grand Island, N.Y.), was used to
assay hydrogen peroxide concentrations according to the detection
of a fluorescent product formed in the oxidation of a reagent in
the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Samples of Haematococcus
pluvialis (Strain 1) were taken from cultures in a carboy
bioreactor (axenic conditions) and an open raceway pond bioreactor
disposed in a greenhouse with paddlewheel mixing (non-axenic
conditions). Samples from both cultures were dosed with 0.06 mL/L
of hydrogen peroxide 25% stock concentration (effective
concentration of 0.015 mL/L), and the hydrogen peroxide
concentration was monitored every 30 minutes for 180 minutes using
the Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide Kit. Samples from both cultures
showed an exponential decay in the concentration of hydrogen
peroxide, resulting in a concentration below a level that is
expected to be effective against uniflagellates (e.g., fungi
zoospores) [namely greater than 0.03 mL/L of 25% stock (calculated
concentration greater than 0.0075 mL/L)] after 30 minutes, and an
concentration of below detectable limits in 120 minutes. These
results show that treating a culture with an calculated
concentration of hydrogen peroxide of 0.015 mL/L will maintain a
concentration above the levels expected to be effective against
contamination (e.g., uniflagellates) in the short term (i.e.,
<30 minutes) and will thereafter dissipate to levels that are
not harmful to any of the desired microorganisms in the culture,
including the Haematococcus cells. The results also demonstrate
that repeated doses of hydrogen peroxide over time do not create
the risk of building up a residual concentration that would be
harmful to the Haematococcus or detectable in the harvested end
product.
Example 2
[0063] Experiments were conducted to evaluate the level of hydrogen
peroxide tolerance of Haematococcus pluvialis. Green swimmer cells
of a first strain of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) were tested
in well plates by adding a single dose (0.06, 0.10, 0.13, 0.16
mL/L) of hydrogen peroxide 25% stock concentration to 2 mL cultures
of cells. The calculated concentrations of the hydrogen peroxide
doses tested were 0.0150, 0.0250, 0.0325, and 0.0400 mL/L. The
amount of cell lysis was quantified using visual observation under
a microscope 18 hours after administration of hydrogen peroxide.
The results are presented in Table 1, with standard error denoted
as "SE".
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 H.sub.2O.sub.2 dosage calculated
concentration % Cell Lysis at (mL/L) 18 hours (.+-.1SE) 0.00
(control) 0.8% .+-. 0.3% 0.0150 1.6% .+-. 1%.sup. 0.0250 1.9% .+-.
0.2% 0.0325 2% .+-. 0.07% 0.0400 5.2% .+-. 0.48%
[0064] As shown in Table 1, significant lysis (i.e., more than 5%)
of the cells occurred at hydrogen peroxide dosage levels above
0.0325 mL/L calculated concentration.
[0065] Green swimmer and red cyst cells of a second strain of
Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2) were tested in well plates by
adding a dose (0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07 mL/L) of hydrogen
peroxide 35% stock concentration to 2 mL cultures of cells of both
green swimmer cells and red cyst cells three times per day (i.e.,
morning, noon and evening). The calculated concentrations of the
hydrogen peroxide doses tested were 0.0105, 0.0140, 0.0175, 0.0210,
and 0.0245 mL/L. The amount of cell lysis was quantified using
visual observation under a microscope after 24, 48, and 72 hours.
The results are presented in Tables 2-3, with standard error
denoted as "SE".
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Green Swimmer Cells H.sub.2O.sub.2 dosage
calculated concentration % Cell lysis at time periods (h) after
dosing (.+-.1SE) (mL/L) 24 48 72 0.00 (control) 3.3% .+-. 1.7% 5.0%
.+-. 1.7% 5.0% .+-. 0.0% 0.0105 3.3% .+-. 1.7% 5.0% .+-. 1.7% 3.3%
.+-. 0.0% 0.0140 4.2% .+-. 0.8% 5.8% .+-. 2.5% 9.2% .+-. 4.2%
0.0175 2.5% .+-. 0.8% 9.2% .+-. 2.5% 13.3% .+-. 3.3% 0.0210 4.2%
.+-. 2.5% 6.7% .+-. 1.7% 20.0% .+-. 3.3% 0.0245 15.0% .+-. 0.0%
22.5% .+-. 0.8% 27.5% .+-. 2.5%
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Red Cyst Cells H.sub.2O.sub.2 dosage
calculated concentra- % Cell lysis at time periods (h) after dosing
(.+-.1SE) tion (mL/L) 24 48 72 96 0.00 (con- 1.7% .+-. 1.0% 0.0%
.+-. 0.0% 0.8% .+-. 0.8% 2.5% .+-. 0.8% trol) 0.0140 1.7% .+-. 1.0%
0.8% .+-. 0.8% 3.3% .+-. 0.0% 3.3% .+-. 1.7% 0.0175 1.1% .+-. 0.6%
3.3% .+-. 1.7% 5.8% .+-. 5.8% 5.8% .+-. 2.5% 0.0210 3.9% .+-. 2.0%
0.8% .+-. 0.8% 1.7% .+-. 0.0% 18.3% .+-. 1.7% 0.0245 3.9% .+-. 0.6%
5.0% .+-. 1.7% 9.2% .+-. 0.8% 51.7% .+-. 5.0%
[0066] As shown in Table 2, the green swimmer cells maintained a
cell lysis level below 10% when dosed with hydrogen peroxide at a
0.0105 mL/L calculated concentration for at least 72 hours. At a
calculated concentration of 0.0210 mL/L the green swimmer cells
maintained lysis levels below 10% for 48 hours. These results show
that the cells treated with lower concentration doses experienced
low levels of lysis (i.e., below 10%) for all time periods, but the
cultures receiving higher concentration doses only maintained low
levels of lysis (i.e., below 10%) for 48 hours or less, thus
indicating that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the
method is critical and simply adding more does not equate to better
results regarding lysis in green swimmer cells.
[0067] As shown in Table 3, the red cyst cells maintained a cell
lysis level below 10% at dosages of hydrogen peroxide below 0.0175
mL/L calculated concentration for at least 96 hours, but dosages at
or above 0.0175 mL/L calculated concentration experienced cell
lysis above 10% after 48-96 hours. These results also show that
simply increasing the dosages of hydrogen peroxide does not produce
better results with regards to lysis in red cyst cells, however the
results were not exactly the same for the concentrations when
applied to green swimmer and red cyst cells. Therefore, the results
of Table 2 and Table 3 together demonstrate the state of the cell,
concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and the length of time the
treatment is applied are factors that should be considered when
hydrogen peroxide is used to treat a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis to maintain cell lysis at acceptable levels or prevent
lysis.
Example 3
[0068] A series of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) cultures were
compared using bacterial community sequencing (SSU rRNA 16s) to
analyze the bacterial community of the cultures during a lysis
event, a chytrid infection, and during treatment with hydrogen
peroxide to determine if the bacteria community shifts or produces
a detectable pattern.
[0069] Haematococcus pluvialis cultures containing green swimmer
cells in open raceway pond bioreactors [identification numbers (#)
2210 and 2220] disposed in a greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing,
and operating in conditions: reactor volume of 16,000 L; Daily
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 57 mol m.sup.-2
d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%; were inoculated
on the same day and cultured in growth conditions. The culture in
bioreactor #2210 was not treated with hydrogen peroxide before or
after transfer to bioreactor #2310. The culture in the bioreactor
#2220 was treated every 24 hours with 0.03 mL/L of hydrogen
peroxide 25% stock concentration (calculated concentration of
0.0075 mL/L) before and after the culture was transferred to open
raceway pond bioreactor #2320 operating in conditions: reactor
volume of 50,000 L; Daily PAR of 54 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of
7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%; which was also disposed in a
greenhouse and used paddlewheel mixing. The results showed that the
treated culture in bioreactor #2220 retained high motility (95%)
one day longer than the untreated culture in bioreactor #2210, and
chytrids were detected three days later in the treated culture in
bioreactor #2320 than they did in the untreated culture of
bioreactor #2310.
[0070] Nitrogen fixing bacteria including Rhizobium, Emticicia, and
Sinorhizobium, were identified as dominant species in the bacterial
community analysis of the cultures and were present in the
beginning and middle of the culture period for each culture.
However, the relative amount of nitrogen fixing bacteria decreased
from 20-40% to less than 10% of the dominant bacterial community,
after the hydrogen peroxide treatments in bioreactor #2320. High
amounts of cell lysis were visually observed in the treated culture
(bioreactor #2320), but not until five days after the treatment
ended. Runella was dominant in the bacterial community of the
culture in bioreactor #2320 starting before the second hydrogen
peroxide treatment and during the period of the lysis event.
[0071] A Haematococcus pluvialis culture containing green swimmer
cells in an open raceway pond bioreactor #2330 disposed in a
greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing, and operating in conditions:
reactor volume of 55,000 L; Daily PAR of 55 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1;
pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%; was treated once with 0.03
mL/L hydrogen peroxide 25% stock concentration (calculated
concentration of 0.0075 mL/L) two days before transfer and twice
after transfer to open raceway bioreactor #2430, which was disposed
in a greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing, and operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 140,000 L; Daily PAR of 55 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%. High
amounts of cell lysis were visually observed before the first
treatment and remained high for 4 days. The effect of the hydrogen
peroxide treatment to prevent or decrease lysis appeared to be
limited due to the fact that treatment began after the lysis had
occurred. Chytrid sporangia were not detected in the culture.
Rheinheirmera, Flectobacillus, Runella, and Flavobacterium, began
increasing in relative to other bacteria in the bacterial community
analysis of the culture during the start of lysis, however only
Runella became dominant towards the end of the lysis period.
[0072] Another Haematococcus pluvialis culture containing green
swimmer cells in open raceway pond bioreactor #2330 operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 60,000 L; Daily PAR of 57 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%; was
treated twice with 0.03 mL/L hydrogen peroxide 25% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0075 mL/L) before
transfer to another bioreactor. The culture of bioreactor #2330 was
transferred to open raceway pond bioreactor #2420 disposed in a
greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing, and operating in conditions:
reactor volume of 140,000 L; Daily PAR of 58 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1;
pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%); but the culture was not
treated after the transfer. This culture was observed to continue
cell division after transfer to bioreactor #2420. Observations
showed that motility decreased by about 30% after the first
treatment and 60% lysis occurred after the second treatment.
Chytrid sporangia were observed to be present at the end of the
culture period, 7 days after hydrogen peroxide treatment ended.
Bacteria including Pseudomonas, Flectobacillus, and Cytophaga were
present in the bacterial community in both the bioreactors #2330
and #2420. The percentage of carotenoids in the culture was
approximately 3.5%, quantified by UV method.
Example 4
[0073] An experiment was conducted to determine if treating a
culture of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide affects
the live bacteria count. Cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis
(Strain 1) containing green swimmer cells in open raceway ponds
(250 L volume) with paddlewheel mixing and disposed in a warehouse
were split into open pond bioreactors #2210 and 2230 disposed
inside a greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing, and operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 16,000 L; Daily PAR of 50 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%. The
culture in bioreactor #2210 was treated with 0.33 mL/L hydrogen
peroxide 3% stock concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0099
mL/L) every 6 hours for the duration of the culture's green swimmer
stage (90 hours). The culture in bioreactor #2230 was not treated
to serve as a control for comparison. Samples were taken to assess
motility, lysis, and the live bacteria count in the cultures at 11,
34, 52, and 66 hours. The live bacteria count was obtained by plate
count using Petrifilm available from 3M (St. Paul, Minn.), and the
results are shown in Table 4.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Live Bacteria Count (CFU/mL BacT) Untreated
Time (h) Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment 11 3.7 .times. 10.sup.7
4.8 .times. 10.sup.5 34 1.0 .times. 10.sup.6 5.5 .times. 10.sup.6
52 1.5 .times. 10.sup.6 1.8 .times. 10.sup.5 66 2.9 .times.
10.sup.6 4.5 .times. 10.sup.5 90 8.1 .times. 10.sup.5 No data
[0074] Motility was maintained above 60% for the entire experiment
but was slightly higher in the untreated control culture. Lysis
greater than 15% did not occur in either culture. As shown in Table
4, the culture that received the hydrogen peroxide treatment had an
approximately 1 log reduction in the bacteria count. This result
may be useful in analyzing the potential for lysis in the culture,
as findings from previous experiments showed a correlation between
bacteria concentrations above 10.sup.7 cells/mL and the occurrence
of lysis in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis. Therefore,
reducing the live bacteria count of a Haematococcus pluvialis
culture with a hydrogen peroxide treatment can be used to prevent
conditions that are favorable for lysis and reduce the risk of
losing Haematococcus pluvialis cells to lysis.
Example 5
[0075] A series of experiments were conducted to determine if
treating a culture of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen
peroxide prevents lysis. Samples of a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis (Strain 1) containing green swimmer cells were taken from
open raceway pond bioreactor #2330 disposed in a greenhouse, using
paddlewheel mixing, and operating in conditions: reactor volume of
60,000 L; Daily PAR of 57 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and
paddlewheel speed of 40%; before the culture was transferred to
open raceway pond bioreactor #2430 disposed in a greenhouse, using
paddlewheel mixing, and operating in conditions: reactor volume of
140,000 L; Daily PAR of 58 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.3; and
paddlewheel speed of 70%); as well as 24 and 48 hours after
transfer to bioreactor #2430. The samples were divided into flasks
with some flasks receiving treatment with 0.028 mL/L hydrogen
peroxide 25% stock concentration (calculated concentration of 0.007
mL/L) three times per day, and some flasks receiving no treatment
to serve as controls for comparison. Lysis was quantified daily
through visual observation of samples under a microscope. The
results are shown in Tables 5-7, with standard deviation denoted as
"SD".
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 % Lysis in samples from Bioreactor # 2330
(.+-.1SD) Untreated Time (h) Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 8.3
.+-. 7.6% 8.3 .+-. 7.6% 24 6.7 .+-. 2.4% 10.0 .+-. 4.7% 48 4.2 .+-.
3.5% 12.5 .+-. 3.5% 72 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 120 1.7 .+-.
0.0% 0.8 .+-. 1.2%
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 % Lysis in samples from Bioreactor # 2430 24
hours after transfer (.+-.1SD) Untreated Time (h) Control
H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24 85.8 .+-.
3.5% 7.5 .+-. 1.2% 48 75.8 .+-. 20.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 96 13.3 .+-.
4.7% 4.1 .+-. 1.2%
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 % Lysis in samples from Bioreactor # 2430 48
hours after transfer Untreated Time (h) Control H.sub.2O.sub.2
Treatment 0 3.3 .+-. 2.9% 3.3 .+-. 2.9% 24 63.3 .+-. 2.4% 25.0 .+-.
9.4% 96 97.5 .+-. 1.2% 16.7 .+-. 4.7%
[0076] As shown in Table 5, lysis remained at low levels in both
the control and hydrogen peroxide treatment cultures. The results
in Tables 6 and 7 show lysis occurred at high levels (greater than
80%) in the control cultures and was held to lower levels with the
hydrogen peroxide treatments (less than 30%), demonstrating a
treatment with hydrogen peroxide may successfully reduce lysis by
60-80%.
[0077] The findings from the flask test samples were then applied
to commercial scale cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1)
containing green swimmer cells that were transferred from open
raceway pond bioreactor #2310 disposed in a greenhouse, using
paddlewheel mixing, and operating in conditions: reactor volume of
55,000 L; Daily PAR of 42 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and
paddlewheel speed of 40%; to open raceway pond bioreactor #2420
disposed in a greenhouse, using paddlewheel mixing, operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 140,000 L; Daily PAR of 40 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%.
Similarly, the culture in bioreactor #2320, operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 60,000 L; Daily PAR of 42 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%; was
transferred by being split into pond bioreactors #2410 and 2430
operating in conditions: reactor volume of 150,000 L; Daily PAR of
40 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%.
The cultures in pond bioreactors #2310 and 2320 had previously
received treatments of 0.02 mL/L hydrogen peroxide 35% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.007 mL/L) every six
hours, which continued after the cultures were transferred until
the fourth day of treatment. Lysis was quantified upon harvest of
the culture through visual observation of samples under a
microscope. Carotenoid content of the cells was measured by UV
method upon harvest, and the average growth rate of the culture was
calculated based on periodic dry weight samples. The results were
compared to data from previous culture runs in the same bioreactors
or bioreactors with similar operating conditions during the same
month (September 2014) at the same location. The results are shown
in Tables 8-10.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 H.sub.2O.sub.2 Maximum % Bioreactor
Treatment Lysis of Culture 2410 No 25% 2420 No 25% 2430 No 90% 2440
No 95% 2410 Yes 70% 2420 Yes 20% 2430 Yes 35%
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 H.sub.2O.sub.2 Maximum % Bioreactor
Treatment Carotenoid (UV) 2410 No 2.84 2420 No 0.79 2430 No 1.88
2440 No 2.38 2410 Yes 3.22 2420 Yes 3.58 2430 Yes 1.21 [Ended
early]
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 H.sub.2O.sub.2 Average Growth Bioreactor
Treatment Rate (g/m.sup.2/day) 2410 No 2.1 2420 No 2.3 2430 No 3.2
2440 No 3.6 2410 Yes 4.7 2420 Yes 4.3 2430 Yes 2.3 [Ended
early]
[0078] As shown in Table 8, lysis remained in the range of 20-35%
in two of the commercial scale cultures treated with hydrogen
peroxide, which was an improvement over the historical data that
showed untreated cultures may reach lysis levels over 80%. As shown
in Tables 9 and 10, the cultures treated with hydrogen peroxide
produced the higher levels of carotenoids and had a higher average
growth rate than the untreated cultures, indicating that the
hydrogen peroxide treatment may be directly improving growth and
carotenoid accumulation or may be indirectly improving growth and
carotenoid accumulation by creating an environment with suppressed
lysis. Viewing the results from the flask tests and the commercial
scale cultures together, treating a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis green swimmer cells with hydrogen peroxide at a
calculated concentration of at least 0.007 mL/L every 6 hours can
reduce the level of cell lysis by at least 60% without negatively
affecting the culture growth rate (i.e., biomass accumulation) and
accumulation of carotenoids.
Example 6
[0079] A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide alone and in combination with
concentrations of salt as a treatment for controlling chytrid
infections in Haematococcus pluvialis cultures. Culture samples of
Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) cultures were taken and placed
into flasks from open raceway bioreactor #2420 disposed within a
greenhouse, mixed with paddlewheels, and operating in conditions:
reactor volume of 170,000 L; Daily PAR of 53 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1;
pH of7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%. Bioreactor #2420 had just
been inoculated with cells in the green swimmer stage into
reddening conditions that comprised of culture medium comprising a
1 ppt concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl). The flask experiment
consisted of duplicate untreated controls and duplicate treatments.
The treated flask cultures were dosed with 0.03 mL/L hydrogen
peroxide of 25% stock concentration (calculated concentration of
0.0075 mL/L) 2-3 times per day. Samples were taken from the flask
cultures daily to monitor the percentage of chytrids in the total
cells of the culture (% chytrid infection) through visual
observation using a microscope and measurement of cell dry weight
in g/L for a duration of about 9 days (217 hours). The results are
shown in Tables 11-12.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Average Chytrid Infection (%) Time (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24
0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 48 0.8 .+-. 1.2% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 72 0.0
.+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 144 38.3 .+-. 54.2% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 168 40.0
.+-. 56.6% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 197 43.3 .+-. 44.8% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 217 50.0
.+-. 58.9% 0.0 .+-. 0.0%
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Average Cell Dry Weight (g/L) Time (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.1 .+-. 0.0 0.1 .+-. 0.0 24 0.1
.+-. 0.1 0.1 .+-. 0.0 48 0.3 .+-. 0.0 0.2 .+-. 0.0 72 0.5 .+-. 0.1
0.3 .+-. 0.1 144 No data No data 168 0.8 .+-. 0.2 0.7 .+-. 0.0 197
0.7 .+-. 0.0 0.6 .+-. 0.0 217 0.9 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-. 0.0
[0080] Results showed that the % chytrid infection in the untreated
controls varied widely (15-90%) starting on day six (144 h), with
the average steadily increasing over the remaining days to over 40%
(as shown in Table 11). In the treated cultures, % chytrid
infection was 0% the entire nine day period. As shown in Table 12,
the dry cell weight increased in both the control and treated
cultures.
[0081] Culture samples for a second experiment were taken three
days after inoculation when the salt concentration was at 1 ppt
from open raceway bioreactor #2440 disposed within a greenhouse,
mixed with paddlewheels, and operating in conditions: reactor
volume of 175,000 L; Daily PAR of 40 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of
7.3; paddlewheel speed of 70%. Samples were placed in flasks for
culturing, consisting of duplicate untreated controls and duplicate
treatments. The treated flask cultures were dosed with 0.03 mL/L
hydrogen peroxide of 25% stock concentration (calculated
concentration of 0.0075 mL/L) 2-3 times per day. The flask cultures
contained Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) cells in both the
green swimmer stage and early red cyst stage. Samples were taken
from the flask cultures daily to quantify % chytrid infection and
cell dry weight for a duration of about 6 days (144 hours). The
results are shown in Tables 13-14.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Time Average Chytrid Infection (%) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24
0.0 .+-. 0.0% 1.7 .+-. 2.9% 96 59.4 .+-. 7.7% 25.0 .+-. 2.9% 120
68.3 .+-. 4.4% 51.7 .+-. 5.0% 144 67.2 .+-. 4.2% 43.9 .+-. 4.2%
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Time Average Cell Dry Weight (g/L) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.16 .+-. 0.00 0.16 .+-. 0.00 24
0.32 .+-. 0.05 0.31 .+-. 0.02 96 0.53 .+-. 0.05 0.55 .+-. 0.04 120
0.56 .+-. 0.16 0.49 .+-. 0.09 144 No data No data
[0082] As shown in Table 13, the % chytrid infection reached 67% in
the controls and was reduced in the treated cultures. As shown in
Table 14, the dry cell weight increased in both the control and
treated cultures.
[0083] Culture samples of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) for a
third experiment were collected from open raceway bioreactor #2210
disposed within a greenhouse, mixed with a paddlewheel, and
operating in conditions: reactor volume of 18,000 L; Daily PAR of
48 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; paddlewheel speed of 40%. The
collected samples were inoculated in the green swimmer stage in
growth conditions [i.e., in the absence of sodium chloride (NaCl)].
The samples were distributed in flasks, consisting of duplicate
untreated controls and duplicate treatments. The treated flask
cultures were dosed with 0.03 mL/L hydrogen peroxide of 25% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0075 mL/L) two times
per day. Samples were taken from the flask cultures daily to
quantify % chytrid infection and cell dry weight for a duration of
about 11 days (264 hours). The results are shown in Tables
15-16.
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Time Average Chytrid Infection (%) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24
0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 48 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 96 0.0
.+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 120 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 144 6.7
.+-. 9.4% 4.2 .+-. 5.9% 168 36.7 .+-. 37.1% 18.3 .+-. 25.9% 192
49.2 .+-. 29.5% 26.6 .+-. 37.1% 264 81.7 .+-. 2.4% 51.7 .+-.
7.1%
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Time Average Cell Dry Weight (g/L) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.26 .+-. 0.00 0.26 .+-. 0.00 24
0.93 .+-. 0.04 0.76 .+-. 0.06 48 No data No data 96 2.16 .+-. 0.08
1.90 .+-. 0.00 120 2.31 .+-. 0.32 2.26 .+-. 0.00 144 No data No
data 168 2.20 .+-. 0.37 2.2 .+-. 0.00 192 2.73 .+-. 0.07 2.68 .+-.
0.91 264 2.19 .+-. 0.325 2.02 .+-. 0.65
[0084] As shown in Table 15, the % chytrid infection varied widely
in the first 8 days (192 h), but was reduced in the treatments as
compared to the control by day 11 (264 h). As shown in Table 16,
the dry cell weight increased in both the control and treated
cultures but was highly variable by the end of the experiment.
[0085] Culture samples of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) for a
fourth experiment were collected from open raceway bioreactor #2310
disposed within a greenhouse, mixed with a paddlewheel, and
operating in conditions: reactor volume of 48,000 L; Daily PAR of
50 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%.
The culture samples were inoculated in the green swimmer stage in
growth conditions [i.e., in less than 1 ppt of sodium chloride
(NaCl)]. The flask cultures were then diluted 3:1 with nitrate free
HMB media and brought to a 1 ppt concentration of NaCl, consisting
of duplicate untreated controls and duplicate treatments. The
treated flask cultures were dosed with 0.03 mL/L hydrogen peroxide
of 25% stock concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0075
mL/L) 3 times per day. Samples were taken from the flask cultures
daily to % chytrid infection and cell dry weight for a duration of
about 9 days (216 hours). The results are shown in Tables
17-18.
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Time Average Chytrid Infection (%) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24
0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 48 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 120 16.1
.+-. 3.5% 1.7 .+-. 1.7% 144 60.6 .+-. 7.5% 18.3 .+-. 18.5% 168 62.8
.+-. 12.5% 17.2 .+-. 14.4% 192 67.2 .+-. 5.4% 32.2 .+-. 28.1% 216
90.6 .+-. 5.4% 44.4 .+-. 46.8%
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Time Average Cell Dry Weight (g/L) (h)
Control H.sub.2O.sub.2 Treatment 0 0.00 .+-. 0.00 0.00 .+-. 0.00 24
0.45 .+-. 0.03 0.46 .+-. 0.07 48 0.96 .+-. 0.15 0.94 .+-. 0.18 120
1.71 .+-. 0.20 1.60 .+-. 0.05 144 1.29 .+-. 0.09 1.56 .+-. 0.35 168
1.55 .+-. 0.41 2.01 .+-. 0.02 192 1.21 .+-. 0.24 2.34 .+-. 0.39 216
1.77 .+-. 0.15 2.96 .+-. 0.26
[0086] As shown in Table 17, a 50-90% reduction in % chytrid
infection in the treatments as compared to the control was observed
starting 5 days after inoculation (144 h). The variability in the
results were attributed to the fact that one treatment flask became
infected while the other did not. As shown in Table 18, the dry
cell weight increased in both the control and treated cultures but
was higher in treated flasks.
[0087] Culture samples of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 1) were
collected for a fifth experiment from open raceway bioreactor #2310
operating in conditions: reactor volume of 66,000 L; Daily PAR of
48 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.5; and paddlewheel speed of 40%.
The culture samples were distributed into flasks for culturing,
consisting of duplicate untreated controls and duplicate
treatments. The flask cultures were then diluted 1:3 into reddening
media comprising 1 ppt NaCl or 2 ppt NaCl (33.3 mL and 66.6 mL
culture media). The treated flask cultures were dosed with 0.03
mL/L hydrogen peroxide of 25% stock concentration (calculated
concentration of 0.0075 mL/L) 3 times per day. Samples were taken
from the flask cultures daily to analyze % chytrid infection and
cell dry weight for a duration of about 8 days (192 hours). The
results are shown in Tables 19-20.
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Average Chytrid Infection (%) 1 ppt 2 ppt 1
ppt NaCl and 2 ppt NaCl and Time NaCl H.sub.2O.sub.2 NaCl
H.sub.2O.sub.2 (h) Control Treatment Control Treatment 0 0.0 .+-.
0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 24 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0
.+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 120 27.5 .+-. 20.0% 0.0 .+-.
0.0% 86.7 .+-. 2.4% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 144 76.7 .+-. 9.4% 0.0 .+-. 0.0%
94.2 .+-. 5.9% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 168 93.30 .+-. 7.1% 0.0 .+-. 0.0%
100.0 .+-. 0.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 192 97.5 .+-. 1.2% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 97.5
.+-. 1.2% 0.0 .+-. 0.0%
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Average Cell Dry Weight (g/L) 1 ppt 2 ppt 1
ppt NaCl and 2 ppt NaCl and Time NaCl H.sub.2O.sub.2 NaCl
H.sub.2O.sub.2 (h) Control Treatment Control Treatment 0 0.03 .+-.
0.00 0.03 .+-. 0.00 0.03 .+-. 0.00 0.03 .+-. 0.00 24 1.16 .+-. 0.06
1.01 .+-. 0.04 1.12 .+-. 0.03 1.00 .+-. 0.06 120 1.33 .+-. 0.18
0.89 .+-. 0.01 1.12 .+-. 0.23 0.86 .+-. 0.06 144 0.95 .+-. 0.01
0.72 .+-. 0.06 0.58 .+-. 0.14 0.66 .+-. 0.08 168 0.64 .+-. 0.06
0.78 .+-. 0.03 0.60 .+-. 0.03 0.78 .+-. 0.03 192 0.91 .+-. 0.07
1.01 .+-. 0.04 0.66 .+-. 0.03 1.00 .+-. 0.03
[0088] As shown in Table 19, a chytrid infection appeared within 5
days (120 h) and increased to greater than 90% chytrid infection by
day 7 (168 h) in the control cultures. In the treated cultures, %
chytrid infection was 0% the entire eight day period. As shown in
Table 20, the dry cell weight was comparable between control and
treated cultures. Across all experiments, treatment with hydrogen
peroxide was show to be effective in reducing chytrid infections
when used with and without salt.
Example 7
[0089] An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of
the combination of salt and hydrogen peroxide as a treatment method
of reducing chytrids in an infected culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis. Culture samples of Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2)
were collected from 3,000 L open raceway pond bioreactor #MP1 with
paddlewheel mixing disposed outdoors. At the time the samples was
taken, the culture comprised green swimmer cells and chytrids (100%
of culture infected). One mL of infected culture was inoculated
into replicate flasks (100 mL volume) containing axenic green
swimmers from a carboy bioreactor culture diluted into reddening
media 1 part culture to 3 parts media comprising either 1 or 3 ppt
salt (NaCl). The flask cultures containing 1 ppt salt were dosed
three times per day (morning, noon and evening) with 0.02 or 0.04
mL/L of hydrogen peroxide 35% stock concentration (calculated
concentrations of 0.007 or 0.014 mL/L). The flask cultures
containing 3 ppt salt were dosed three times per day (morning, noon
and evening) with 0.02 mL/L of hydrogen peroxide 35% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.007 mL/L). The percent
of the cells infected with chytrids was quantified via visual
observation under a microscope at 72 and 96 hours after the
cultures were inoculated in the flask. The results are shown in
Table 21.
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 % Chytrids Infection 1 ppt salt 1 ppt salt
3 ppt salt Time Untreated & 0.007 & 0.0014 & 0.007 (h)
Control mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2
72 71.7 .+-. 0.0% 57.5 .+-. 5.9% 36.7 .+-. 4.7% 72.5 .+-. 1.2% 96
96.7 .+-. 4.7% NO DATA 97.5 .+-. 1.2% NO DATA
[0090] As shown in Table 21, the hydrogen peroxide treatments for
the cultures containing 1 ppt salt showed a reduction in the
chytrids infection % compared to the untreated control and
treatment containing 3 ppt salt after 72 hours, with the 0.014 mL/L
hydrogen peroxide treatment resulting in a larger reduction than
the 0.007 mL/L hydrogen peroxide treatment. After 96 hours the 1
ppt salt and 0.014 mL/L hydrogen peroxide treatment did not appear
to continue as an effective treatment for the reduction of
chytrids, demonstrating that the combination of salt and hydrogen
peroxide may be effective for reducing chytrids in a culture of
Haematococcus with an existing infection for a limited period of
time after which additional action may need to be taken in the form
of harvesting the Haematococcus cells or utilizing a different
treatment method.
Example 8
[0091] An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of
the combination of salt and hydrogen peroxide as a treatment method
for reducing chytrids in an infected culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis. Three 3,000 L open raceway pond bioreactor #'s MP1, MP2,
& MP3 with paddlewheel mixing disposed outdoors were inoculated
with cultures of green swimmer Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2)
cells from outdoor reactor #2310 at a dilution ratio of 1 part
culture samples to 3 parts reddening media containing 1 ppt salt
(NaCl). After the cultures failed to become infected on their own,
chytrid infection was promoted by adding 5 L of infected culture
from another outdoor reactor (#2420) after 6 days. MP1 and MP3
received treatments of 0.03 mL/L of hydrogen peroxide 35% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0105 mL/L) every 6
hours. MP2 was not treated with hydrogen peroxide to serve as an
untreated control for comparison purposes. The percent of cells
infected with chytrids was quantified using visual observation
under a microscope 24 hours after the chytrids were introduced, and
determined to be 20% in MP1, 10% in MP2, and less than 5% in MP3.
After hydrogen peroxide treatments began, the percent of the
cultures infected with chytrids, percent of carotenoids by UV
method, and cell dry weight (g/L) were quantified daily. The
results are show in Tables 22-24.
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 22 % Chytrids Infection 0.0105 mL/L Untreated
0.0105 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 (MP3, Time Control (MP2, H.sub.2O.sub.2
(MP1, initial (days after initial initial infection inoculation)
infection 10%) infection 20%) less than 5%) 5 NO DATA NO DATA NO
DATA 6 NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 8.3 .+-. 7.6% 23.3 .+-. 5.8% 1.7
.+-. 2.9% 8 10.0 .+-. 5.0% 20.0 .+-. 5.0% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 9 16.7 .+-.
12.6% 30.0 .+-. 10.0% 1.7 .+-. 2.9% 10 45.0 .+-. 18.0% 26.7 .+-.
2.9% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 11 76.7 .+-. 5.8% 61.7 .+-. 24.7% 0.0 .+-. 0.0%
12 90.0 .+-. 10.0% 63.3 .+-. 16.1% 0.0 .+-. 0.0% 13 95.0 .+-. 5.0%
73.3 .+-. 7.6% 3.3 .+-. 2.9% 14 98.3 .+-. 2.9% 76.7 .+-. 17.6% 0.0
.+-. 0.0%
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 23 % Carotenoids (UV) 0.0105 mL/L Untreated
0.0105 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 (MP3, Time Control (MP2, H.sub.2O.sub.2
(MP1, initial (days after initial initial infection inoculation)
infection 10%) infection 20%) less than 5%) 5 NO DATA NO DATA NO
DATA 6 NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 8 3.72
3.71 3.77 9 3.72 4.03 4.19 10 4.20 4.44 4.55 11 3.24 4.33 3.74 12
3.27 3.95 4.47 13 NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 14 NO DATA NO DATA NO
DATA
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 24 Cell Dry Weight (g/L) 0.0105 mL/L Untreated
0.0105 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 (MP3, Time Control (MP2, H.sub.2O.sub.2
(MP1, initial (days after initial initial infection inoculation)
infection 10%) infection 20%) less than 5%) 5 0.156 0.216 0.190 6
0.219 0.283 0.201 7 0.244 0.321 0.311 8 0.314 0.371 0.412 9 0.317
0.349 0.353 10 0.346 0.370 0.343 11 0.347 0.353 0.349 12 0.375
0.357 0.375 13 0.366 0.364 0.390 14 0.360 0.357 0.427
[0092] As shown in Table 22, the hydrogen peroxide and salt
treatment was effective for maintaining the chytrids infection
level below 5% in the MP3 culture which was below 5% when the
treatments started. The hydrogen peroxide and salt treatment was
also effective in slowing the chytrid infection of the MP1 culture
which started with a moderate level (20%) as compared to the
untreated control (MP2). Visual observation of the red cyst cells
under a microscope also showed that the Haematococcus cells were
susceptible to infection when the cells were transitioning from the
green swimmer stage to the red cyst stage before the cyst had fully
formed.
[0093] As shown in Tables 23 and 24, the continuous treatments with
hydrogen peroxide in the presence of salt did not inhibit the
accumulation of carotenoids and biomass in the Haematococcus cells.
Together these results demonstrate that continuously treating a
culture of Haematococcus cells infected by chytrids with hydrogen
peroxide in the presence of low salt (1 ppt) is effective in
preventing an increase in the infection if treatment is started
when the infection is at a low level (below 5%), or at a minimum
the treatment is effective in slowing down the increase in the
infection that is already at a moderate level (e.g., 20%) at the
time treatment is initiated without negatively affecting the
carotenoid (e.g., astaxanthin) and biomass accumulation by
Haematococcus.
Example 9
[0094] An experiment was conducted to evaluate if higher
concentrations [greater than 0.03 mL/L 35% stock (calculated
concentrations greater than 0.0105 mL/L)] of hydrogen peroxide
could be used as a treatment method for reducing chytrids in an
infected culture of Haematococcus pluvialis. Culture samples of
Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2) were collected on day 5 of the
culture from open raceway bioreactor #2420 operating in conditions:
reactor volume of 170,000 L; Daily PAR not measured; pH of 7.3; and
paddlewheel speed of 70%). Culture samples were distributed into
flasks for culturing, consisting of duplicate untreated controls
and duplicate treatments. Treatments compared different frequency
doses (one to three times daily) of higher concentrations (0.04 and
0.05 mL/L) of hydrogen peroxide 35% stock concentration (calculated
concentrations of 0.0140 and 0.0175 mL/L) with the standard
treatment to date (calculated concentration of 0.0105 mL/L three
times daily). Samples were taken from the flask cultures every few
days in order to quantify % lysis, % chytrid infection, and cell
dry weight for a duration of about 11 days. Due to lysis rates
exceeding 10% in all treatments by day 5, treatment was
discontinued and recovery from lysis was monitored. Results are
shown in Table 25-27.
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 25 % Lysis 0.0105 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L
0.0140 mL/L 0.0175 mL/L Time (days H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2
H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 after Untreated 3
times per 1 time per 2 times per 3 times per 1 time per
inoculation) Control day day day day day 0 4.2 .+-. 1.2 4.2 .+-.
1.2 4.2 .+-. 1.2 4.2 .+-. 1.2 4.2 .+-. 1.2 4.2 .+-. 1.2 3 0.8 .+-.
1.2 0.8 .+-. 1.2 5.0 .+-. 2.4 5.0 .+-. 4.7 2.5 .+-. 3.5 2.5 .+-.
1.2 4 4.2 .+-. 5.9 3.3 .+-. 2.4 4.2 .+-. 1.2 3.3 .+-. 2.4 9.2 .+-.
1.2 4.2 .+-. 1.2 5 1.7 .+-. 0.0 10.8 .+-. 1.2 10.0 .+-. 2.4 10.0
.+-. 2.4 42.5 .+-. 15.3 9.2 .+-. 1.2 6 0.0 .+-. 0.0 3.3 .+-. 2.4
7.5 .+-. 1.2 9.7 .+-. 5.9 55.0 .+-. 30.6 6.7 .+-. 2.4 9 No Data 6.7
.+-. 2.4 10.8 .+-. 1.2 5.0 .+-. 0.0 60.0 .+-. 28.3 6.7 .+-. 4.7 11
No Data 4.2 .+-. 3.5 7.5 .+-. 1.2 0.0 .+-. 0.0 56.7 .+-. 33.0 4.2
.+-. 3.5
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 26 % Chytrid infection 0.0105 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L
0.0140 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L 0.0175 mL/L Time (days H.sub.2O.sub.2
H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 after
Untreated 3 times per 1 time per 2 times per 3 times per 1 time per
inoculation) Control day day day day day 0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-.
0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 3 28.3 .+-.
23.6 0.8 .+-. 1.2 0.0 .+-. 0.0 2.5 .+-. 1.2 3.3 .+-. 4.7 0.8 .+-.
1.2 4 41.7 .+-. 18.8 2.5 .+-. 3.5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 2.5 .+-. 3.5 0.0
.+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0 5 53.3 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 2.4 5.0
.+-. 4.7 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0 6 88.3 .+-. 2.4 2.5 .+-. 1.2 2.5
.+-. 1.2 5.8 .+-. 3.5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 9 97.5 .+-. 3.5 7.5
.+-. 3.5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 43.3 .+-. 4.7 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 11 No
Data 100.0 .+-. 0.0 35.8 .+-. 29.5 97.5 .+-. 3.5 11.7 .+-. 16.5
34.2 .+-. 27.1
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 27 Culture Dry Weight (g/L) 0.0105 mL/L 0.0140
mL/L 0.0140 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L 0.0175 mL/L Time (days H.sub.2O.sub.2
H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 after
Untreated 3 times per 1 time per 2 times per 3 times per 1 time per
inoculation) Control day day day day day 0 0.29 .+-. 0.02 0.29 .+-.
0.02 0.29 .+-. 0.02 0.29 .+-. 0.02 0.29 .+-. 0.02 0.29 .+-. 0.02 3
0.42 .+-. 0.07 0.42 .+-. 0.07 0.49 .+-. 0.05 0.44 .+-. 0.0 0.40
.+-. 0.01 0.47 .+-. 0.03 4 No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data
No Data 5 No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data 6 No Data
0.45 .+-. 0.02 0.44 .+-. 0.0 0.41 .+-. 0.11 0.30 .+-. 0.06 0.35
.+-. 0.02 9 0.59 .+-. 0.29 0.74 .+-. 0.02 0.82 .+-. 0.04 0.67 .+-.
0.01 0.54 .+-. 0.11 0.76 .+-. 0.01 11 0.57 .+-. 0.16 0.69 .+-. 0.09
0.54 .+-. 0.32 0.64 .+-. 0.08 0.81 .+-. 0.1 0.79 .+-. 0.13
[0095] As shown in Table 25, percent lysis reached 10% in all
cultures treated with hydrogen peroxide by day 5, except for 0.014
mL/L dosed three times per day which were at 40% lysis. Treatment
was discontinued at this time and the lysis rate remained stable
through days 6 to 11. As shown in Table 26, chytrid infection
increased to 100% in the untreated controls, but remained less than
10% in all treated flasks until 4-6 days after treatment ended.
Final infection rates were lowest in flasks previously dosed with
0.0140 and 0.0175 mL/L once per day. As shown in Table 27, culture
dry weights were highest in the cultures treated once daily on day
9. While the results showed that the treatments did not demonstrate
a negative effect on lysis, the treatments were effective against
chytrid infection without negatively affecting dry weight.
Example 10
[0096] A second flask experiment was conducted to evaluate if one
daily treatment of 0.03-0.05 mL/L 35% stock concentration of
hydrogen peroxide (calculated concentration 0.0105-0.0175 mL/L)
could be used as a treatment method for reducing chytrids in an
infected culture of Haematococcus pluvialis. Culture samples of
Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2) were collected on the second day
of the culture from open raceway bioreactor #2430 operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 170,000 L; Daily PAR not measured; pH
of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70. The culture samples were
distributed into flasks for culturing, consisting of duplicate
untreated controls and duplicate treatments. Treatments compared
different frequency doses (once daily and once daily followed by
every other day) of 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 mL/L 35% stock hydrogen
peroxide (calculated concentrations of 0.0105, 0.0140, and 0.0175
mL/L). Samples were taken from the flask cultures daily to quantify
% lysis and % chytrid infection and cell dry weight was quantified
every other day for a duration of 11 days. The results are shown in
Tables 28-30.
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 28 % Lysis 0.0175 mL/L 0.0105 mL/L 0.0140 mL/L
H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time per 0.0105 mL/L
1 time per 0.0140 mL/L 1 time per day for 2 d Time (days
H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d then after
Untreated 1 time per then every 1 time per then every every
inoculation) Control day other day day other day other 0 0.8 .+-.
2.0 0.8 .+-. 2.0 0.8 .+-. 2.0 0.8 .+-. 2.0 0.8 .+-. 2.0 0.8 .+-.
2.0 3 1.7 .+-. 2.4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 4.2 .+-. 1.2 4.2 .+-.
1.2 31.7 .+-. 11.8 4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0 10.0
.+-. 8.7 10.0 .+-. 8.7 22.2 .+-. 8.5 5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 0.0
1.7 .+-. 2.4 10.0 .+-. 2.4 15.8 .+-. 5.9 19.2 .+-. 17.6 6 0.0 .+-.
0.0 0.8 .+-. 2.0 3.3 .+-. 4.7 9.2 .+-. 3.5 6.7 .+-. 0.0 25 .+-. 0.0
7 1.7 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 20.0 .+-. 9.4 13.3 .+-.
4.7 No Data 8 5.8 .+-. 1.2 1.7 .+-. 2.4 0.8 .+-. 1.2 6.7 .+-. 7.0
13.3 .+-. 2.4 No Data 9 0.8 .+-. 1.2 7.5 .+-. 8.3 0.8 .+-. 1.2 21.7
.+-. 7.1 5.0 .+-. 2.4 No Data 10 6.7 .+-. 2.4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-.
1.2 9.2 .+-. 3.5 15.8 .+-. 12.9 No Data
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 29 % Chytrid infection 0.0175 mL/L 0.0105 mL/L
0.0140 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time per
0.0105 mL/L 1 time per 0.0140 mL/L 1 time per day for 2 d Time
(days H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d then
after Untreated 1 time per then every 1 time per then every every
inoculation) Control day other day day other day other 0 0.0 .+-.
0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-.
0.0 3 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-.
0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 4 14.2 .+-. 8.3 0.8 .+-. 1.2 0.8 .+-. 1.2 0.0 .+-.
0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 5 21.7 .+-. 4.7 0.8 .+-. 1.2 5.0 .+-.
2.4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 6 36.7 .+-. 16.5 1.7
.+-. 2.4 2.5 .+-. 1.2 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 2.4 0.8 .+-. 1.2 7 17.5
.+-. 3.5 3.3 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-. 2.4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 No
data 8 20.0 .+-. 7.1 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-. 1.2 0.8
.+-. 1.2 No data 9 21.7 .+-. 7.1 0.8 .+-. 1.2 2.5 .+-. 3.5 0.8 .+-.
1.2 0.0 .+-. 0.0 No data 10 26.7 .+-. 14.1 0.0 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-.
2.4 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 No data
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 30 Culture Dry Weight (g/L) 0.0175 mL/L 0.0105
mL/L 0.0140 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 H.sub.2O.sub.2 1
time per 0.0105 mL/L 1 time per 0.0140 mL/L 1 time per day for 2 d
Time (days H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d H.sub.2O.sub.2 day for 3 d
then after Untreated 1 time per then every 1 time per then every
every inoculation) Control day other day day other day other day 0
0.05 .+-. 0.01 0.05 .+-. 0.01 0.05 .+-. 0.01 0.05 .+-. 0.01 0.05
.+-. 0.01 0.05 .+-. 0.01 3 No data No data No data No data No data
No data 4 0.35 .+-. 0.03 0.32 .+-. 0.01 0.32 .+-. 0.01 0.32 .+-.
0.01 0.32 .+-. 0.01 0.25 .+-. 0.02 5 No data No data No data No
data No data No data 6 0.37 .+-. 0.02 0.35 .+-. 0.08 0.29 .+-. 0.01
0.30 .+-. 0.03 0.35 .+-. 0.01 0.24 .+-. 0.03 7 No Data No Data No
Data No Data No Data No Data 8 0.54 .+-. 0.06 0.42 .+-. 0.01 0.49
.+-. 0.04 0.41 .+-. 0.05 0.48 .+-. 0.01 No Data 9 No Data No Data
No Data No Data No Data No Data 10 0.39 .+-. 0.04 0.38 .+-. 0.01
0.40 .+-. 0.00 0.35 .+-. 0.04 0.38 .+-. 0.01 No Data
[0097] As shown in Table 28, percent lysis remained under 10% for
control cultures and those treated with 0.0105 mL/L hydrogen
peroxide for 11 days. Those treated with 0.0140 mL/L hydrogen
peroxide reached 20% lysis by day 7 and those treated with 0.0175
mL/L reached 30% lysis by day 3 after only being dosed twice. These
flask cultures were discarded on day 6. Cultures in this set may
have been less tolerant to hydrogen peroxide because they were
pulled back from the parent reactor within two days of inoculation
while in the previous experiment (Example 9), culture samples were
pulled back 5 days after inoculation of the parent and were likely
further along in cyst stage. As shown in Table 29, chytrid
infection reached 20-40% in the untreated controls, but remained
less than 10% in all treated flasks. As shown in Table 30, culture
dry weights were slightly reduced in flasks treated every day
compared to controls and flasks treated every day for 3 days and
then every other day. The results show that lower concentrations of
hydrogen peroxide are capable of reducing both lysis and chytrid
infections, while the high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were
more effective for reducing chytrid infections than lysis.
Example 11
[0098] A second flask experiment was conducted to fine tune
treatment of 0.03 mL/L 35% stock concentration of hydrogen peroxide
(calculated concentration of 0.0105 mL/L) for reducing chytrids in
an infected culture of Haematococcus pluvialis. Culture samples of
Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2) were collected on the second day
of culture from open raceway bioreactor #2410 operating in
conditions: reactor volume of 150,000 L; Daily PAR of 9.77 mol
m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%. Culture
samples were distributed into flasks for culturing, consisting of
duplicate untreated controls and duplicate treatments. Treatments
compared different frequency doses (once daily, once every other
day and once daily for 3 days only) of 0.03 mL/L of 35% stock
hydrogen peroxide (calculated concentration of 0.0105 mL/L).
Samples were taken from the flask cultures daily to quantify %
lysis and % chytrid infection and cell dry weight was quantified
every other day for a duration of 11 days. The results are shown in
Tables 31-33.
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 31 % Lysis 0.0105 mL/L 0.0105 mL/L Time 0.0105
mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time (days after
Untreated H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time every other daily for inoculation)
Control per day day 3 days 1 5.0 .+-. 5.0 5.0 .+-. 5.0 5.0 .+-. 5.0
5.0 .+-. 5.0 2 8.3 .+-. 0.0 2.5 .+-. 1.2 3.3 .+-. 2.4 3.3 .+-. 0.0
3 3.3 .+-. 2.4 5.8 .+-. 3.5 4.2 .+-. 1.2 7.5 .+-. 1.2 4 3.3 .+-.
0.0 4.2 .+-. 1.2 3.3 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-. 1.2 5 1.7 .+-. 2.4 4.2 .+-.
3.5 3.3 .+-. 2.4 5.0 .+-. 0.0 6 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 3.3 .+-.
2.4 4.2 .+-. 1.2 7 0.0 .+-. 2.4 2.4 .+-. 0.0 3.3 .+-. 0.0 1.7 .+-.
2.4 8 No data No data No data No data
TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 32 % Chytrid Infection 0.0105 mL/L 0.0105 mL/L
Time 0.0105 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time (days
after Untreated H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time every other daily for
inoculation) Control per day day 3 days 1 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0
0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 2 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0
0.0 .+-. 0.0 3 2.5 .+-. 3.5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 2.5 .+-. 1.2 0.0 .+-. 0.0
4 1.7 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 5 23.3 .+-.
4.7 2.5 .+-. 3.5 0.8 .+-. 1.2 0.8 .+-. 1.2 6 48.3 .+-. 4.7 0.0 .+-.
0.0 3.3 .+-. 0.0 0.0 .+-. 0.0 7 92.5 .+-. 3.5 0.0 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-.
1.2 1.7 .+-. 2.4 8 No data No data No data No data
TABLE-US-00033 TABLE 33 Culture dry weight (g/L) 0.0105 mL/L 0.0105
mL/L Time 0.0105 mL/L H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time
(days after Untreated H.sub.2O.sub.2 1 time every other daily for
inoculation) Control per day day 3 days 1 0.066 .+-. 0.0 0.066 .+-.
0.0 0.066 .+-. 0.0 0.066 .+-. 0.0 2 0.255 .+-. 0.021 0.210 .+-.
0.028 0.215 .+-. 0.007 No data 4 0.355 .+-. 0.049 0.308 .+-. 0.011
0.331 .+-. 0.011 0.285 .+-. 0.0 6 0.500 .+-. 0.071 0.395 .+-. 0.007
0.455 .+-. 0.021 0.475 .+-. 0.035 7 0.475 .+-. 0.007 0.440 .+-.
0.028 0.540 .+-. 0.042 0.530 .+-. 0.014 8 0.360 .+-. 0.057 0.490
.+-. 0.014 0.510 .+-. 0.014 0.560 .+-. 0.028
[0099] As shown in Table 31, cell lysis remained below 10% in
flasks across treatments. As shown in Table 32, chytrid infection
remained below 5% in all treated flasks but increased in the
untreated control after day 4 to greater than 90% infection. As
shown in Table 33, culture dry weight increased in every treatment
but noticeably decreased in infected controls after day 6. These
results suggest that a conservative treatment of 0.0105 mL/L
hydrogen peroxide applied every day, every other day or every day
for 3 days only would be sufficient for preventing chytrids in
reddening cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis while also not affect
biomass accumulation.
Example 12
[0100] An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of
salt as a treatment method for reducing chytrids in an infected
culture of Haematococcus pluvialis, without the addition of
hydrogen peroxide. This test was done side by side in flasks (0.1
L) and in reactors located in a greenhouse operating in conditions:
reactor volume of 230 L; Daily PAR of 20 mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1; pH
(not measured); and paddlewheel speed of 21 RPM. Flasks were
inoculated (100 mL volume) with samples from a culture of green
swimmer stage Haematococcus pluvialis (Strain 2) cells from open
raceway pond outdoor reactor #2410 operating in conditions: reactor
volume of 193,750 L; pH of 7.3; and paddlewheel speed of 70%; and
brought up to concentration of 2 ppt salt (NaCl). The flask
cultures were mixed by shaking at 140 rpm and received 300-400
.mu.mol/m.sup.2 s of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in
12 hour light cycles and constant supply of 2.5% CO.sub.2. The
motility of the culture was monitored by visual observation under a
microscope. Once the motility of the cells was observed to be below
10%, the level of salt was elevated in duplicate to 4-11 ppt and
compared to the culture in two flasks remaining at 2 ppt salt. Nine
230 L reactors were also seeded with culture from bioreactor #2410
on the same day as the flasks and brought to 2 ppt concentration of
salt. Once motility of the cells was reduced to <10% (day 3 of
culture for flasks and day 2 for 230 L reactors) the level of salt
was elevated to a point between 4-18 ppt and compared to the
culture in two reactors remaining at 2 ppt salt. Flasks and 230 L
reactors were monitored for percentage of cell lysis via visual
observation under a microscope, culture dry weight (biomass
accumulation in g/L), and percentage of chytrid infection via
visual observation under a microscope. Carotenoid production, a
proxy for determining astaxanthin, was quantified every other day
of culture in the 230 L reactors using the UV method. Results are
shown in Tables 34-40.
TABLE-US-00034 TABLE 34 % Cell Lysis in Flasks Time NaCl
concentration (ppt) (d) 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 0 .+-. 0% 0 .+-. 0% 0
.+-. 0% 4 .+-. 3% 0 .+-. 0% 3 .+-. 2% 0 .+-. 0% 1 .+-. 1% 0 .+-. 0%
11 0 .+-. 0% 0 .+-. 0% 1 .+-. 1% 5 .+-. 4% 7 .+-. 3% 2 .+-. 0% 2
.+-. 0% 3 .+-. 1% 1 .+-. 1%
TABLE-US-00035 TABLE 35 % Cell Lysis in 230L reactors Time NaCl
concentration (ppt) (d) 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 18 2 0.00% 0.00% 1.67%
3.18% 0.00% 0.00% 3.18% 0.00% 0.00% 3 1.67% 0.00% 0.00% 5.00% 0.00%
0.00% 3.33% 5.00% 3.33% 4 0.00% 1.67% 0.00% 3.33% 8.33% 3.33% 0.00%
6.67% 13.33% 5 0.00% 0.00% 3.33% 1.67% 0.00% 1.67% 3.33% 36.67%
5.00% 6 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 21.67% 13.33% 18.33% 16.67% 31.67% 26.67%
7 0.00% 3.33% 30.00% 10.00% 18.33% 8.33% 5.00% 3.33% 20.00% 8 0.00%
1.67% 23.33% 1.67% 1.67% 1.67% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 9 0.00% 30.00%
13.33% 5.00% 6.67% 6.67% 6.67% 5.00% 8.33% 10 0.00% 0.00% 11.67%
5.00% 1.67% 6.67% 15.00% 3.33% 5.00% 11 1.67% no data 5.00% 8.33%
6.67% 11.67% 11.67% 6.67% 1.67% 12 0.00% no data 6.67% 3.33% 5.00%
5.00% 3.33% 5.00% 3.33%
TABLE-US-00036 TABLE 36 % Chytrid infection in Flasks Time NaCl
concentration (ppt) (d) 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 82 .+-. 17% 22 .+-.
20% 18 .+-. 16% 8 .+-. 11% 3 .+-. 5% 1 .+-. 1% 1 .+-. 1% 0 .+-. 0%
0 .+-. 0% 11 96 .+-. 4% 85 .+-. 16% 53 .+-. 9% 19 .+-. 27% 0 .+-.
0% 2 .+-. 2% 1 .+-. 1% 0 .+-. 0% 17 .+-. 24%
TABLE-US-00037 TABLE 37 % Chytrid infection in 230L reactors Time
NaCl concentration (ppt) (d) 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 18 2 1.67% 0.00%
0.00% 1.67% 1.67% 3.33% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 0.00%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 1.67% 0.00%
0.00% 1.67% 0.00% 5 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 1.67% 1.67% 0.00%
3.33% 6 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 7
8.33% 3.33% 1.67% 8.33% 5.00% 5.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 8 16.67%
21.67% 0.00% 0.00% 3.33% 1.67% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 9 45.00% 10.00%
11.67% 10.00% 0.00% 3.33% 0.00% 1.67% 3.33% 10 71.67% 100.00%
30.00% 3.33% 1.67% 5.00% 1.67% 0.00% 0.00% 11 81.67% no data 36.67%
13.33% 0.00% 0.00% 1.67% 6.67% 1.67% 12 100.00% no data 65.00%
28.33% 15.00% 3.33% 3.33% 3.33% 1.67%
TABLE-US-00038 TABLE 38 Culture Dry Weight (g/L) in Flasks Time
NaCl concentration (ppt) (d) 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 0 0.044 0.044
0.044 0.044 0.044 0.044 0.044 0.044 0.044 11 0.49 .+-. 0.04 0.48
.+-. 0.05 0.43 .+-. 0.04 0.48 .+-. 0.02 0.49 .+-. 0.02 0.50 .+-.
0.04 0.45 .+-. 0.00 0.42 .+-. 0.01 0.40 .+-. 0.04
TABLE-US-00039 TABLE 39 Culture Dry Weight (g/L) in 230L reactors
Time NaCl concentration (ppt) (d) 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 18 0 0.030 0.043
0.037 0.040 0.040 0.035 0.018 0.045 0.035 1 0.042 0.048 0.063 0.070
0.058 0.048 0.057 0.060 0.052 2 0.065 0.072 0.080 0.095 0.085 0.103
0.093 0.088 0.098 3 0.120 0.105 0.103 0.143 0.133 0.123 0.135 0.140
0.158 4 0.145 0.113 0.115 0.162 0.140 0.145 0.145 0.120 0.135 5
0.228 0.125 0.120 0.185 0.178 0.150 0.168 0.130 0.173 6 0.173 0.130
0.125 0.213 0.198 0.170 0.193 0.168 0.180 7 0.185 0.150 0.148 0.223
0.218 0.198 0.205 0.145 0.165 8 0.273 0.170 0.153 0.270 0.260 0.260
0.237 0.145 0.165 9 0.145 0.218 0.198 0.293 0.260 0.148 0.218 0.160
0.175 10 0.220 0.150 0.143 0.265 0.250 0.205 0.257 0.173 0.183 11
0.145 no data 0.148 0.250 0.282 0.218 0.220 0.145 0.200 12 0.187 no
data 0.150 0.280 0.323 0.245 0.263 0.168 0.175
TABLE-US-00040 TABLE 40 % Carotenoid by UV Method in 230L reactors
Time NaCl concentration (ppt) (d) 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 18 3 1.38 1.32
1.3 1.26 1.71 1.76 1.25 1.48 1.34 5 2.53 2.14 2.6 3.12 2.67 2.82
2.02 1.96 1.81 7 3.77 3.69 3.87 5.12 4.57 4.28 4.11 2.82 2.63 9
3.41 3.93 3.56 5.33 4.77 4.73 4.83 3.43 2.79 11 3.28 no data 5.02
5.45 5.67 5.3 5.41 6.11 4.25 12 3.16 no data 3.07 5.74 5.63 5.72
5.71 4.38 3.79
[0101] As shown in Tables 34 and 35, cell lysis remained below 10%
in flasks for all treatments, and below 30% in 230 L reactors
across all treatments except 10 ppt. Lysis was highest at 4, 10 and
18 ppt salt. As shown in Table 36 and 37, chytrid infection
decreased as salinity increased for both flasks and 230 L reactors.
Chytrid infection remained below 5-10% for treatments between 7-10
ppt in flasks, and treatments at 7 ppt and above in 230 L reactors.
As shown in Tables 38, the biomass accumulation measured by culture
dry weight was similar for all treatments except the two highest
salinities, which were reduced. As shown in Table 39, biomass
accumulation was highest in the 230 L reactors after day 7 for
treatments between 5-8 ppt. As shown in Table 40, carotenoid
accumulation was highest for treatments between 5-8 ppt in the 230
L reactors. Visual observation under a microscope showed that cysts
in cultures set to 8 ppt were the healthiest and cleanest looking
(e.g., large, red, and least fouled) in both flasks and 230 L
reactors. These findings suggest that as an alternative to hydrogen
peroxide treatments, 8 ppt salt can be used to reduce chytrid
infection while maintaining biomass and astaxanthin
accumulation.
Example 13
[0102] Experiments were performed to determine chytrid tolerance to
bleach, salt, Lufenuron (chemical biocide), and Rid Fungus (blend
of natural organic herbs) for evaluation as a treatment for
chytrids. A pure chytrid culture in a well plate was treated every
24 hours and observed under a microscope to determine the effect.
An untreated culture was used as a control for comparison purposes.
Qualitative assessments and quantitative estimates were made by
visual observation under a microscope.
[0103] In the control culture, sporangia and zoospores without
tails were observed after 1 hour. Swimming zoospores were observed
after 24 hours, sporangia and swimming zoospores (80-100% motility)
were observed after 48 hours, and swimming zoospores (90-100%)
motility were observed after 72 hours. From the observation of the
control culture, a treatment that reduces the formation or motility
of zoospores may be further investigated as a viable treatment.
[0104] In the culture receiving 0.03 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.00375 mL/L), sporangia
and zoospores were observed after 24 hours. Sporangia and swimming
zoospores (100% motility) were observed after 48 hours, and
swimming zoospores (100% motility) were observed after 72
hours.
[0105] In the culture receiving 0.1 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0125 mL/L), sporangia
only was observed after 1 hour. Only bacteria were observed after
24 hours, bacteria and a few zoospores were observed after 48
hours, and bacteria with no zoospores and a few sporangia were
observed after 72 hours.
[0106] In the culture receiving 0.2 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.025 mL/L), sporangia
and zoospores were observed after 1 hour. Swimming zoospores were
observed after 24 hours, and bacteria and sporangia only (no
zoospores) were observed after 48 hours and 72 hours. The lack of
zoospores after 72 hours for the 0.0125 and 0.025 mL/L bleach
treatments indicate that the treatment may be effective against
chytrids, but the known tolerance of Haematococcus pluvialis
(Strain 1) is 0.00375 mL/L and thus the higher concentrations would
not be viable as a treatment during culturing.
[0107] In the culture receiving 20 ppt salt (NaCl), clumped
sporangia and zoospores were observed after 1 hour. Wilting
sporangia and no zoospores were observed after 24 hours, bacteria
with shriveled zoospores and sporangia were observed after 48
hours, and no zoospores or sporangia were observed after 72 hours.
The results show that the high level of salt is effective against
chytrids, but the level is above the threshold that has been shown
to negatively affect some strains of Haematococcus during
culturing.
[0108] In the culture receiving 40 ppm of Lufenuron, swimming
zoospores were observed after 1 hour. Swimming zoospores were again
observed after 24 hours, and heavy bacteria with sporangia and
zoospores were observed after 48 hours and 72 hours. The resulting
proliferation of zoospores demonstrates that Lufenuron is not
effective as a chytrid treatment.
[0109] In the culture receiving 0.01% of Rid Fungus, swimming
zoospores were observed after 24 hours. Bacteria only were observed
after 48 hours and 72 hours.
[0110] In the culture receiving 0.1% of Rid Fungus, sporangia and
zoospores were observed after 1 hour. Bacteria and zoospores were
observed after 24 hours, bacteria and a few zoospores with no
motility were observed after 48 hours, and bacteria only were
observed after 72 hours. The results show that Rid Fungus may be
effective for treating chytrids, however the effect on
Haematococcus cells needs to be determined if Rid Fungus is to be
used as treatment during culturing.
Example 14
[0111] Several concentrations of salt and Rid Fungus (blend of
organic herbs) were further investigated as a chytrid treatment, as
in Example 13. A pure chytrid culture in a well plate was treated
and visually observed under a microscope to determine the effect.
An untreated culture was used as a control for comparison
purposes.
[0112] In the control culture, motile dense zoospores were observed
after 1 and 4.5 hours. From the observation of the control culture,
a treatment that reduces the formation or motility of zoospores may
be further investigated as a viable treatment.
[0113] In the culture receiving 5 ppt salt (NaCl), a less dense
mass of zoospores with some being motile but sluggish were observed
after 1 hour. A mix of non-motile and motile zoospores were
observed after 4.5 hours.
[0114] In the culture receiving 10 ppt salt (NaCl), a mass of
zoospores at the same density as the 5 ppt treatment but with all
being non-motile were observed after 1 hour. Non-motile zoospores
only were observed after 4.5 hours.
[0115] In the culture receiving 20 ppt salt (NaCl), a mass of
zoospores less dense than mass of the 5 and 10 ppt treatments but
with all being non-motile were observed after 1 hour. Non-motile
zoospores only were observed after 4.5 hours. The results show that
the high level of salt is effective against chytrids, but the level
is above the threshold that has been shown to negatively affect
some strains of Haematococcus during culturing.
[0116] In the culture receiving 0.10% of Rid Fungus, a mass of
zoospores less dense than the control but highly motile were
observed after 1 hour. Motile zoospores were observed after 4.5
hours.
[0117] In the culture receiving 0.25% of Rid Fungus, a mass of
zoospores less dense than the control but less motility than the
0.1% treatment were observed after 1 hour. Some motile zoospores
and possibly dead sporangia were observed after 4.5 hours.
[0118] In the culture receiving 0.50% of Rid Fungus, some motile
zoospores were observed after 1 hour. Some motile zoospores and
dead sporangia were observed after 4.5 hours. The results show that
the higher levels of Rid Fungus may be effective in reducing
chytrid zoospores, but the effect on Haematococcus cells needs to
be determined if Rid Fungus is to be used as treatment during
culturing.
Example 15
[0119] Several concentrations of bleach and Lufenuron were further
investigated for their effectiveness as chytrid treatments for
Haematococcus pluvialis during culturing. Cultures of Haematococcus
pluvialis (Strain 1) red cyst cells infected with chytrids were
treated in well plates (0.5 mL volume) with bleach or Lufenuron to
evaluate the effect on the Haematococcus cells if bleach or
Lufenuron were to be used as a contamination treatment. A first
control culture of Haematococcus red cyst cells absent of chytrids
and a second control culture of healthy Haematococcus red cyst
cells inoculated with chytrids were used as comparisons for the
treatments. The cultures were treated with bleach at or less than
the tolerance level of Haematococcus: 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 mL/L of
12.5% stock concentration bleach (calculated concentration 0.00125,
0.0025, and 0.00375 mL/L), or different concentrations of Lufenuron
(0.01, 0.1 and 1% of culture volume). The cultures were observed
under a microscope during the experiment to determine
effectiveness.
[0120] In the first control culture, the cells were observed to be
healthy red cysts at the time of inoculation. Healthy red cysts and
bacteria were observed after 24 hours. Healthy red cysts and some
clumping were observed after 48 hours. Healthy red cysts were
observed after 72 hours.
[0121] In the second control culture, swimming zoospores and
sporangia on red cysts were observed at the time of inoculation.
Swimming zoospores and positive infection of the red cyst cells
were observed after 24 hours. Bacteria, swimming zoospores, and
positive infection of the red cyst cells were observed after 48
hours. Heavy bacteria, few swimming zoospores, and decreased
infection of the red cyst cells were observed after 72 hours.
[0122] In the culture receiving 0.01 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.00125 mL/L, which is a
concentration below the tolerance level of Haematococcus), swimming
zoospores and positive infection were observed after 24 and 48
hours. Some swimming zoospores, high bacteria, and dead sporangia
were observed after 72 hours.
[0123] In the culture receiving 0.02 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.0025 mL/L, which is a
concentration below the tolerance level of Haematococcus), swimming
zoospores and positive infection were observed after 24 and 48
hours. Some swimming zoospores and dead sporangia were observed
after 72 hours.
[0124] In the culture receiving 0.03 mL/L of bleach 12.5% stock
concentration (calculated concentration of 0.00375 mL/L, which is a
concentration at the tolerance level of Haematococcus), swimming
zoospores and positive infection were observed after 24. Swimming
zoospores, positive infection, and lysed/dead Haematococcus cells
were observed after 48 hours. Some swimming zoospores, high
bacteria, and active infection were observed after 72 hours. Based
on the results, the concentrations of bleach below the tolerance
level of Haematococcus were ineffective at treating chytrids.
[0125] In the culture receiving 0.01% of Lufenuron, swimming
zoospores and positive infection were observed after 24 and 48
hours. Some swimming zoospores, Ochromonas (single-celled, motile,
golden-brown alga), and active infection were observed after 72
hours.
[0126] In the culture receiving 0.10% of Lufenuron, dead sporangia,
some infection, and active zoospores were observed after 24 and 48
hours. Some swimming zoospores and active infection were observed
after 72 hours.
[0127] In the culture receiving 1.00% of Lufenuron, dead sporangia
and zoospores attached to cyst cells were observed after 24 hours.
Ochromonas, bacteria, dead sporangia, zoospores attached to cyst
cells, and few swimming zoospores were observed after 48 hours.
Ochromonas, no active infection, and no zoospores were observed
after 72 hours. Based on the results, concentration of 1% Lufenuron
may be an effective treatment for chytrids in a Haematococcus
culture, however the effect on biomass and carotenoid accumulation
needs to be determined.
Example 16
[0128] A solution comprising 50% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was
evaluated as a treatment for chytrids that could be applied to
empty reactors in order to clean them for subsequent batches. A
pure culture of chytrid zoospores and sporangia was treated with a
1% dose of a solution comprising 50% NaOH at temperatures of 25,
40, and 50.degree. C. The cultures were then observed under a
microscope for a reduction in the chytrid zoospores or sporangia
number, or a reduction in the integrity of the chytrid cells. The
results showed that there was not a reduction in chytrid zoospores
or sporangia number or integrity for any of the treatments.
Example 17
[0129] Experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of biological
agents for the control of chytrids in a culture of microalgae.
Ochromonas is a single-celled, motile, golden-brown alga known to
ingest bacteria and small eukaryotes, and was evaluated for its
properties as a chytrid zoospore predator. Janthinobacterium is a
gram-negative soil bacteria known to prey on chytrid zoospores and
was evaluated for its properties as such. A pure culture of
chytrids was inoculated into well plates. A control was left
untreated and compared to cultures treated with Ochromonas and
Janthinobacterium. Chytrid zoospore density was quantified after
three days by visual observation under a microscope. Results showed
that the culture treated with Ochromonas had an average number of
zoospores that was approximately half of the culture treated with
Janthinobacterium and approximately one third of the control.
Further testing would have to be performed to determine the effect
on Haematococcus cells before use as culturing treatment.
Aspects of the Invention
[0130] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of
culturing Haematococcus pluvialis, may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in growth conditions in
a liquid culture medium to obtain a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in which the cells are primarily in a green swimmer
stage; contacting the primarily green swimmer stage culture with
hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the range
of 0.005-0.020 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of culture medium
(mL/L); and culturing the Haematococcus pluvialis cells in
reddening conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage for
accumulation of carotenoids.
[0131] In some embodiments, the calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide may be in the range of 0.005-0.010 mL/L. In some
embodiments, the calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide may
be in the range of 0.010-0.015 mL/L. In some embodiments, the
calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide is in the range of
0.015-0.020 mL/L.
[0132] In some embodiments, the growth conditions may comprise a
photosynthetically active radiation intensity in the range of 30-60
mol m.sup.-2 d.sup.-1, nitrate concentration in the range of 20-50
ppm in the culture medium, and less than 1 ppt of sodium chloride
in the culture medium. In some embodiments, the reddening
conditions may comprise the present of 1-5 ppt sodium chloride in
the culture medium.
[0133] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
determining a level of chytrids in the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells as a percentage of infected cells out of the total
cells in a culture. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells may be contacted with the hydrogen
peroxide when the level of chytrids is less than 20%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells is
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide when the level of chytrids is
at least 5%.
[0134] In some embodiments, the level of chytrids in the culture
may be maintained below the level of chytrids at the time of
contact with hydrogen peroxide while culturing the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in reddening conditions to produce cells in the red
cyst stage for the accumulation of carotenoids. In some
embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the culture with
hydrogen peroxide may be 20-95% less than a control culture not
receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0135] In some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with the
hydrogen peroxide multiple times. In some embodiments, the cells
may be contacted with the hydrogen peroxide every 6-24 hours. In
some embodiments, the cells may be contacted with the hydrogen
peroxide every 6-12 hours. In some embodiments, the cells may be
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide every 6-8 hours. In some
embodiments, the cells may be contacted with the hydrogen peroxide
every day over the course of 1-14 days. In some embodiments, the
cells may be contacted with hydrogen peroxide every other day over
the course of 3-15 days.
[0136] In some embodiments, the biomass yield of the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide may be
equivalent to or greater than a control culture not receiving
treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the biomass
yield of the Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the
hydrogen peroxide may be 0.01-0.25 g/L greater than a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0137] In some embodiments, the carotenoids yield of the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted with the hydrogen peroxide
may be equivalent to or greater than a control culture not
receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments,
the carotenoid yield of the Haematococcus pluvialis cells contacted
with the hydrogen peroxide may be 0.10-1.50% greater than a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide.
[0138] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
transferring the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells to a new
culturing vessel after contacting the culture with the hydrogen
peroxide.
[0139] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of
culturing Haematococcus pluvialis may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in reddening conditions
in a liquid culture medium comprising 1-5 ppt of salt to obtain a
culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in which the cells are
primarily in a cyst; and contacting the primarily cyst stage
culture with hydrogen peroxide to form a calculated concentration
in the range of 0.005-0.020 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of
culture medium (mL/L). In some embodiments, the cyst stage may
comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of green
cysts and red cysts accumulating carotenoids.
[0140] In some embodiments, the salt may be sodium chloride. In
some embodiments, the sodium chloride may be present in the liquid
culture medium at a concentration of 1-3 ppt. In some embodiments,
the sodium chloride may be present in the liquid culture medium at
a concentration of 1-2 ppt.
[0141] In some embodiments, the chytrid level after contacting the
culture with the hydrogen peroxide may be10-95% less than a control
culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In some
embodiments, the biomass yield of the Haematococcus pluvialis cells
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide may be 0.01-0.30 g/L greater
than a control culture not receiving treatment with hydrogen
peroxide.
[0142] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of
culturing Haematococcus pluvialis may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in reddening conditions
in a liquid culture medium to obtain a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in which the cells are primarily in a cyst stage;
detecting a presence of chytrids in the culture; and contacting the
culture comprising chytrids and red cyst cells with 5-20 ppt salt.
In some embodiments, the cyst stage may comprise at least one
selected from the group consisting of green cysts and red cysts
accumulating carotenoids.
[0143] In some embodiments, the salt may be sodium chloride. In
some embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride in the
culture medium may be in the range of 5-10 ppt. In some
embodiments, the concentration of sodium chloride in the culture
medium may be in the range of 10-15 ppt. In some embodiments, the
concentration of sodium chloride in the culture medium may be in
the range of 15-20 ppt.
[0144] In some embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis
cells may be contacted with the salt when a level of cells infected
by chytrids is less than 20% of the total cells. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells may be
contacted with salt when a level of cells infected by chytrids is
at least 5% of the total cells.
[0145] In some embodiments, the level of chytrids in the culture
may be maintained below the level of chytrids at the time of
contact with the salt while culturing the Haematococcus pluvialis
cells in reddening conditions to form cells in the red cyst stage
for the accumulation of carotenoids.
[0146] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a method of
preventing a chytrid infection in a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis may comprise: culturing a population of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in a liquid culture medium; determining a number of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells infected with chytrids in the
culture; contacting the culture with hydrogen peroxide when the
percentage of Haematococcus pluvialis cells infected with chytrids
is less than 10% of the total cells; continuing to culture the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells; and verifying that a percentage of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells infected with chytrids is less than
10% of the total cells after contact with the hydrogen
peroxide.
[0147] In one non-limiting embodiment, a method of culturing
Haematococcus pluvialis may comprise: culturing a population of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells in a liquid culture medium in growth
conditions to obtain a culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in
which the cells are primarily in a green swimmer stage; contacting
the primarily green swimmer cell stage culture with hydrogen
peroxide to form a calculated concentration in the range of
0.005-0.025 mL of hydrogen peroxide per L of culture medium (mL/L)
prior to the formation of cell cysts; and continuing to culture the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells in growth conditions. In some
embodiments, the calculated concentration of hydrogen peroxide may
be in the range of 0.005-0.010, 0.010-0.015, 0.015-0.020, or
0.020-0.025
[0148] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
determining a level of lysis in the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells as a percentage of the total Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in the culture. In some embodiments, the culture of
Haematococcus pluvialis cells may be contacted with the hydrogen
peroxide when the level of lysis is less than 20%. In some
embodiments, the culture of Haematococcus pluvialis cells may be
contacted with the hydrogen peroxide when the level of lysis is
less than 5%.
[0149] In some embodiments, the level of lysis in the culture may
be maintained at or below the level of lysis at the time of contact
with the hydrogen peroxide while continuing to culture the
Haematococcus pluvialis cells in growth conditions. In some
embodiments, the lysis level of the Haematococcus pluvialis culture
after contact with the hydrogen peroxide may be 1-80% less than a
lysis level in a control culture not receiving treatment with
hydrogen peroxide.
[0150] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
determining a live bacteria count in the culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may
be reduced 10-15.times.10.sup.5 CFU/mL after contact with the
hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the live bacteria count may
be maintained below 10.sup.7 CFU/mL following contact with the
hydrogen peroxide.
[0151] In one non-limiting embodiment, a method of preventing lysis
in a culture of Haematococcus pluvialis may comprise: culturing a
population of Haematococcus pluvialis cells in a liquid culture
medium in growth conditions to obtain a culture of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells in which the cells are primarily in a green swimmer
stage; determining a level of cell lysis for the Haematococcus
pluvialis cells; contacting the primarily green swimmer cell stage
culture with hydrogen peroxide prior to the formation of cysts when
the lysis level of Haematococcus pluvialis cells is less than 5%;
continuing to culture the Haematococcus pluvialis cells in growth
conditions; and verifying that the level of lysis of Haematococcus
pluvialis cells is less than 5% after contact with the hydrogen
peroxide.
[0152] In one non-limiting embodiments, a microalgae culture
composition may comprise: a population of Haematococcus pluvialis
cells in a liquid culture medium; and a calculated concentration of
hydrogen peroxide in the range of 0.005-0.025 mL of hydrogen
peroxide per L of culture medium (mL/L), wherein hydrogen peroxide
has been added to the culture medium in the previous 120
minutes.
[0153] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety and to the same extent as if each reference were
individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by
reference and were set forth in its entirety herein (to the maximum
extent permitted by law), regardless of any separately provided
incorporation of particular documents made elsewhere herein.
[0154] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless
otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
[0155] Unless otherwise stated, all exact values provided herein
are representative of corresponding approximate values (e.g., all
exact exemplary values provided with respect to a particular factor
or measurement can be considered to also provide a corresponding
approximate measurement, modified by "about," where appropriate).
All provided ranges of values are intended to include the end
points of the ranges, as well as values between the end points.
[0156] The description herein of any aspect or embodiment of the
invention using terms such as "comprising", "having," "including,"
or "containing" with reference to an element or elements is
intended to provide support for a similar aspect or embodiment of
the invention that "consists of", "consists essentially of", or
"substantially comprises" that particular element or elements,
unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by context (e.g., a
composition described herein as comprising a particular element
should be understood as also describing a composition consisting of
that element, unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by
context).
[0157] All headings and sub-headings are used herein for
convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the
invention in any way.
[0158] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language
(e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better
illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the
scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the
specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed
element as essential to the practice of the invention. Any claimed
embodiment of the invention does not necessarily include all of the
"aspects" or "embodiments" of the specification.
[0159] The citation and incorporation of patent documents herein is
done for convenience only and does not reflect any view of the
validity, patentability, and/or enforceability of such patent
documents.
[0160] This invention includes all modifications and equivalents of
the subject matter recited in the claims and/or aspects appended
hereto as permitted by applicable law.
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