International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 3 (2013) pp. 37 43

Optimization of - Carotene production by Marine Microalga - Dunaliella salina

D. Selvi Dhanam1 and K. Dhandayuthapani2*

1Research and Development centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Arignar Anna Govt. Arts College, Cheyyar - 604 407, Tamil Nadu, India. *Corresponding Author: kdpani_bio@yahoo.co.in

A B S T R A C T

Halotolerant microalga Dunaliella sp. is the best commercial source of natural -carotene in the world. In the present investigation, effect of different concentrations of ammonium chloride, sodium phosphate and light intensities on growth and -carotene accumulation by Dunaliella salina were studied. The maximum cell division rate (0.896 day-1) and -carotene accumulation (18μg/106cells) was found to be at 1.0mM/L ammonium chloride. When grown in the different concentrations sodium phosphate the maximum cell division rate (0.947day-1) and -carotene production (24μg/106cells) was noticed at 0.75mM/L. The light intensity 1000 mol/m-2/s-1 with low temperature showed the maximum division rate (0.875 day-1) and -carotene production (21μg/106cells).

Keywords

Ammonium chloride; -carotene; Dunaliella salina; Light intensity; Sodium Phosphate.