Production of lutein in mixotrophic mode by Scenedesmus

Abstract

Strains of microalgae belonging to the Scenedesmus genus grown in mixotrophic mode enable the production of lipids, in particular lutein. Methods for selecting and culturing the microalgae strains using variable and/or discontinuous supply of light, in particular in the form of flashes, are provided.

1 . Biomass consisting essentially of microalgae of the genus  Scenedesmus  and water, wherein said microalgae of the genus  Scenedesmus  are charged with lutein, said lutein representing at least 1% by weight of the dry matter. 
     
     
         2 . The biomass of  claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least 30 g/L of dry matter. 
     
     
         3 . The biomass of  claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least 35 g/L of dry matter. 
     
     
         4 . The biomass of  claim 1 , wherein said lutein represents more than 8% of the total lipids of the biomass. 
     
     
         5 . The biomass of  claim 1 , wherein it is product of fermentation. 
     
     
         6 . The biomass of  claim 5 , it is obtained from a culture in mixotrophic mode over several generations in a culture medium comprising a carbon-containing substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The biomass of  claim 1 , wherein said microalgae of the genus  Scenedesmus  is the strain FCC 174, deposited on Mar. 8, 2012, with the CCAP (Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa) under the accession number CCAP 276/75.