Regresar

Evaluation of the grazer-prey interaction as a biotechnological strategy to increase toxin production by dinoflagellate cultures in photobioreactors

Abstract:

In this paper, we extend an existing approach to biotechnologically assess grazer-prey interactions between the crustacean Artemia salina (grazer) and the toxic dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum (prey). The applied strategy is presented as a bioprocessing tool for enhancing the production of toxins and bioactive compounds in dinoflagellate cultures. Interactions were based on direct and indirect contact between the grazer and the prey, as well as on the use of different extracts from A. salina cysts and supernatants from cultures in which A. salina had been grown. Several treatments were found to stimulate the growth and yessotoxin production of P. reticulatum mainly due to the action of dissolved excreted substances and/or metabolites released and/or extracted from A. salina. One of the best results was obtained with a culture medium formulation containing 10 % (v/v) supernatant from a culture of A. salina nauplii. This treatment was scaled up to a 15-L photobioreactor. The average maximum specific growth rate (μ max) of P. reticulatum in this photobioreactor, operated in batch mode, increased by 27 %, whereas the maximum cell concentration (C max) decreased by 20 % relative to the corresponding control culture. An average increase in yessotoxin production of 50 % with respect to the control culture was observed. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.