Affect Of Blue And Uv Lights On Growth And Carotenoids Content Of Dunaliella Salina Strains

Abstract

Dunaliella salina is a unique species of alga that has a high content of natural carotenoids, especially beta-carotene. Dunaliella when grown under extreme conditions of high salinity and light intensity will produce up to 14% betacarotene. In this study, three Dunaliella salina strains including 2 imported strains (D. Salina CCAP 19/18 and D. Salina var.bardawil) and 1 local strain (D. Salina A9) were grown at different blue light intensity for selection of optimal growth. Then they were stressed under UV-A radiation (70 μmol photon/m2/sec) combined with high light of 500 μmol photon/m2/sec for carotene induction. The result revealed that blue light enhances growth of D.salina and its intensity is strain specific. In addition, UV-A improves carotene accumulation. Keywords: Blue light, carotene, Dunaliella salina, high light, UV-A.