Photoautotrophic microalgae, cultivation

Richmond A. 1999. Physiological principles and modes of cultivation in mass production of photoautotrophic microalgae. In Cohen Z (editor). Chemicals from Microalgae. London, UK Taylor Francis, pp. 358-386. 

Marine microalgae have also been used for the stereoselective reduction of a- and P-keto esters to the corresponding hydroxy esters [30]. The marine algae were photoautotrophically cultivated in synthetic seawater at 20 °C under constant aeration and illumination by white fluorescent light. In particular, Nannochloropsis sp. catalyzed the reduction of ethyl 2-methyl-3-oxobutanoate 20 to the anti-hydroxy ester (2S,3S)-20b with high conversion, excellent diastereoselectivity syn/anti = 1 99), and high enantioselectivity (anti >99%, syn 98%) (Scheme 12.14). 

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