OPTIMIZATION STUDY OF BIOMASS AND ASTAXANTHIN PRODUCTION BY HYPERDUCING MUTANTS OF HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a red ketocarotenoid, widely used as a natural red colourant in marine fish aquaculture and poultry and
recently, as an antioxidant supplement for human and animals. The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the
richest natural sources of this pigment. In this study, strains were obtained from the physically and chemically mutated
survivors of wild Haematococcus pluvialis by using UV irradiation and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). Mutated strains
showed a maximum survival rate 31.9 % and 47.7 % increase in biomass compared with wild type. The maximum
concentration of total carotenoids content was recorded in 5.780 µgmL-1
on 14th day at 0.24% ethyl methane sulphonate
44.21% as compare with wild culture, respectively. Similarly, 15 min UV irradiation favoured maximum concentration
of total carotenoids 4. 990 µgmL-1
on 14th day which was more than 24.50 % that of control. We observe that the
mutagenesis is an effective strategy for genetically improving strains of Haematococcus pluvialis and that improved
carotenogenic capacity is maintained when the volume of culture is scaled up to a large size.