This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop an innovative large-scale photobioreactor for production of natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus strains. The phase I research plan is to construct and evaluate an innovative modular flat-plate photobioreactor for mass culture of the organism. The improved production system, along with a genetically improved Haematococcus strains will increase the productivity of astaxanthin by an estimated 50%.
The development of this photobioreactor is the only means by which the commercial potential of the genetically improved Haematococcus strains can be commercially realized. The success of the project will lead to further development of pilot-scale plants as well as additional uses for the a reactor.
