Summary
This study examined how cultivation conditions affect the nutritional and functional properties of Euglena gracilis, a microalga with potential as a feed ingredient. Three growth media were compared: standard medium (EgM), standard medium plus amino-acid extract (ETX), and enriched medium with microelements (DOE-ETX). Although EgM achieved the highest biomass yield (6.94 g/L), the DOE-ETX medium produced microalgae with superior functional properties, including higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, suggesting that medium formulation can be optimised to enhance feed ingredient quality.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted using laboratory cultivation methods with no named geographic location, so direct regional applicability to United Kingdom farming is uncertain. However, the findings on culture medium optimisation for microalgae feed ingredients could inform UK aquaculture and feed production research, particularly as alternative protein sources gain policy attention.
Key measures
Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin-Ciocalteu assay), antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP assays), paramylon content, growth yield (g/L), measured following chemical extraction (H2O:EtOH) and ex vivo digestion
Outcomes reported
The study measured total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP assays), paramylon content, and growth yield of Euglena gracilis grown in three different culture media. Findings indicated that enriched growth media improved functional properties despite lower biomass yield compared to standard medium.
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