Fucoxanthin is a highly commercially valuable carotenoid derived from algae. The golden microalgaPoterioochromonas malhamensisshows promise as a source of fucoxanthin, but the commercial viability is hindered by its low fucoxanthin content and productivity. This study introduces a novel heterotrophic-photomixotrophic approach in whichP. malhamensiswas initially cultivated heterotrophically and then shifted to photomixotrophic culture conditions. This process achieved a remarkable fucoxanthin content of 1.58 % and a productivity rate of 12.4 mg L−1d−1, representing a 10-fold increase in content and a 2-fold increase in productivity compared to previous studies. Transcriptome analysis revealed preliminary mechanisms driving these improvements, including enhanced precursor supply, regulation of transcription factors, and catabolism of β-1, 3-glucans. Furthermore, techno-economic analysis indicates that this novel approach presents a competitive advantage over existing fucoxanthin production systems based on diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum. This work provides an innovative and commercially promising pathway for the scalable production of fucoxanthin.

Link:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852426012794?via%3Dihub=