Abstract

OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID PRODUCTION BY SCHIZOCHYTRIUM SPECIES USING STATISTICAL TECHNIQUE

Umesh Luthra*, Archana Tripathi, Sneha Khadpekar, Nishtha K.Singh , Aditi Trivediand Harish Kumar

ABSTRACT

A marine microalgae Schizochytrium sp. was used for DHA production. The aim of this study was to optimize the shake flask process parameters for maximizing DHA production via statistical technique. The process parameters play a significant role in DHA production. The effect of four factors – Temperature, RPM, Inoculum% and pH was determined. The significant factors i.e. temperature, pH and rpm were screened using the first-order model based on Plackett-Burman design which was further optimized by central composite design. Central composite design was based on second degree polynomial used to identify optimal culture conditions for the production of DHA. A maximum DHA production was achieved 5.29 mg/g with the combination of optimized factors: temperature 26.93oC, rpm 152.31 and pH 5.71. Validation experiments were also performed to verify the adequacy and accuracy of the model. The predicted optimum levels were in agreement with the verification experimental results.

Keywords: Schizochytrium sp., Docosahexaenoic acid, Plackett-Burman design, Central composite design.