Effects of salinity on beta-carotene production by Dunaliella tertiolecta DCCBC26 isolated from the Urmia salt lake, north of Iran

Bioresour Technol. 2006 Dec;97(18):2453-6. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.10.037. Epub 2005 Dec 13.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of different salt concentrations (0.05-3 M of NaCl) on the kinetics of growth, total carotenoids and beta-carotene (all-trans and 9-cis) accumulated in Dunaliella tertiolecta DCCBC26, a microalgae strain isolated from the Urmia hypersaline lake, northwest of Iran. Results indicated that the highest amount of carotenoids detected (11.73 mg/l) was in the salinity of 0.5 M NaCl during the stationary growth phase. The percentage of the all-trans and 9-cis-beta-carotene in the exponential phase were 92% and 32% in salinities of 3 M and 0.5 M, respectively. However, only 23% of the beta-carotene was detected in the stationary growth phase of the microalgae in 0.5 M salinity and was 9-cis isomer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Chlorophyta / growth & development
  • Chlorophyta / metabolism*
  • Iran
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology*
  • beta Carotene / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • beta Carotene
  • Sodium Chloride