Astaxanthin Production by Haematococcus pluvialis under Various Light Intensities and Wavelengths

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 1024 - 1030
• Main Authors: Park, Eun-Kyung, Lee, Choul-Gyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 한국미생물생명공학회 01.12.2001
• Subjects: blue and red light; LEDs; light intensity; Astaxanthin; Haematococcus pluvialis
• ISSN: 1017-7825; 1738-8872

The key factors for high-density Haematococcus pluvialis cultures and conditions for astaxanthin induction were examined to maximize astaxanthin production. Light intensity was found to be the most important factor, and thus experiments were found to be the most important factor, and thus experiments were carried out using different light sources and intensities. A high cell density of over 2.7 g/l was obtained at $75{\mu}E/m^2/s$, whereas a much lower cell concentration (<1.0 g/ 1) was obtained with lower light intensities $(15-30{\mu}E/m^2/s$. A high light intensity and the supplement of 470 nm photons had a more dramatic effect on the final astaxanthin concentration and per cell astaxanthin content. A maximum astaxanthin concentration of 6.5 mg/l was obtained at a light intensity of $160{\mu}E/m^2/s$, whereas only 1.3 and 0.7 mg/l were obtained at 30 and $15{\mu}E/m^2/s$, respectively. A supplement of 470 nm photons enhanced the carotenoid and chlorophyll formation.