Cu-mediated biomass productivity enhancement and lutein enrichment of the novel microalga Coccomyxa onubensis

a b s t r a c t The influence of Cu (II) on productivity and accumulation of value carotenoids of a microalga that naturally grows at low pH, Coccomyxa onubensis, was investigated. The presence of Cu (II), added in range between 0.06 and 0.4 mM, increases both algal viability and synthesis of carotenoids, mostly lutein and -carotene. A copper concentration of 0.2 mM was found to be as the most appropriate one to enhance productivity and lutein accumulation and was further used in semicontinuous cultures. Unlike acidophile microalgae, C. onubensis showed unusual high growth rates (0.50 d −1 ) when cultured semicontinuously at 0.2 mM