Optimizing heterotrophic production of Chlorella sorokiniana SU-9 proteins potentially used as a sustainable protein substitute in aquafeed
Abstract
Alternative protein sources for the reduction/replacement of fish meal in aqua-feeds are in urgent demand. Microalgae are considered sustainable protein sources for aquaculture due to their high-quality proteins with a complete profile of essential amino acids. This study examined the heterotrophic production of proteins from Chlorella sorokiniana SU-9. Culture parameters for maximal biomass and protein production are as follows: glucose - 10 g/L glucose, sodium nitrate - 1.5 g/L, and iron - 46 μM iron in BG-11 medium. Under optimal conditions, biomass content, protein content and protein productivity of SU-9 reached 4.14 ± 0.20 g/L, 403 ± 33 mg/g and 382 ± 36 mg/L/d, respectively. The protein profile of Chlorella sorokiniana SU-9 is comparable to fishmeal and soybean meal. The essential amino acids arginine, lysine and cysteine, along with glutamine and glutamate, were high. The production cost of SU-9 can be significantly reduced under heterotrophic cultivation conditions, making it a potential protein substitute in aquafeed.
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Algal proteins are high in essential amino acids like arginine and glutamine, which help maintain healthy blood flow and support cell function.
“Algal proteins are high in essential amino acids like arginine and glutamine, which help maintain healthy blood flow and support cell function [22].”
From Navigating the potential of algal peptides: health effects, market applications, and scientific challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [22]
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“Algal proteins are high in essential amino acids like arginine and glutamine, which help maintain healthy blood flow and support cell function [22].”
- Authors
- Chen, C.-Y., Lu, J.-C., Chang, Y.-H., Chen, J.-H., Nagarajan, D., Lee, D.-J., & Chang, J.-S.
- Affiliations
- National Cheng Kung University (TW)
- Tunghai University (TW)
- National Taiwan University (TW)
- City University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Chang, Yu-Han
- Chang, Jo-Shu
- Venue
- Bioresource Technology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-02
- Volume
- 370
- Pages
- 128538
- ISSN
- 0960-8524 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4312222069
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7
- FWCI
- 1.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Bioresource Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Keywords
- heterotrophic cultivation, microalgal proteins, aquaculture feed, fish meal replacement, essential amino acids, culture parameter optimization, biomass production, protein productivity, production costs, sustainable protein sources
- MeSH terms
- Amino Acids, Essential, Animals, Chlorella, Glucose, Biomass, Heterotrophic Processes, Microalgae
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