Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of light and dark (L/D) period on biosynthesis of astaxanthin in green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. The astaxanthin was extracted from H. pluvialis with dimethyl sulfoxide, and the astaxanthin content was determined by the ultraviolet spectrophotometer. H. pluvialis was incubated under 10:14 h (L/D) period exposed to sunlight at 32 ± 2°C temperature, the astaxanthin biosynthesis was compared with the culture which was incubated in controlled air-conditioned culture room of 16:8 h (L/D) period at 25 ± 2°C. Highest astaxanthin content was found as 0.045 µg/mL in H. pluvialis culture which was exposed to sunlight under 10:14 h (L/D) on the 9th day of study. Under 16:8 h (L/D) period at 25 ± 2°C, the highest astaxanthin content was found as 0.04 µg/mL on the 17th day of study. From our present investigation, it is apparent that the 10:14 h (L/D) period is more effective in promoting astaxanthin content of green alga H. pluvialis.

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