Pilot Cultivation Of An Indigenous Dunaliella Salina Strain

Abstract

Dunaliella salina, a halotolerant green algae, has been considered as one of the best commercial producer of -carotene when grown under harsh environment such as high salt concentration, extreme temperature and intensive light conditions. The present of study investigated optimal depth of pilot culture under natural sun light and temperature. D. salina A9 was grown in 10, 20 and 30cm depth tanks on MD4 medium containing 1.5M NaCl for growth rate and cell productivity comparison. When cells reached stationary stage at day 11, salinity stress was performed for -carotene and other nutrient induction. The result showed that cells grew better at 30cm depth. However, at 10cm depth, cells accumulated the highest carotenoid and antioxidant capability after one week of salinity stress. This suggests D. salina should be semi-continuously cultured with two phases, which optimizes growth in 30cm depth culture and then, induces carotene accumulation with high salinity in 10cm depth culture for about one week. Keyword: Culture depth; Dunaliella salina A9; Pilot cultivation