A Study of Factors Responsible for Natural Astaxanthin Production in the Green Unicellular Alga Haematococcus pluvialis

초록

Various experiments were performed to stimulate astaxanthin production in a green unicellular alga. As H. pluvialis grows, several changes were observed under photomicroscope: loss of flagellates resulting in decrease of mobility of H. pluvialis, formation of red color carotenoids and dramatic morphological transformation after a week. Chlorophyll and carotenoid amounts and their ratios were also measured by spectrophotometer and TLC-FID. According to these results, vegetative cells, which have flagellates and relatively small volume (about 5 pL/cell), can be characterized by high level of chlorophyll and low carotenoids contents. In contrast, high level of carotenoids and low chlorophyll contents state represents aplanospore stage, with no flagellate and larger (about 14 pL/cell). These change suggest two stage culture may be the most productive way in astaxanthin biosynthesis. As a conclusion, various factors affect H. pluvialis growth and astaxanthin production. Further research will be pursued for thorough optimization.