Characterization and production potential of carotenes in Peruvian strains of Dunaliella salina Teodoresco

Abstract

AbstractChlorophyte microalgae Dunaliella are halophilic flagellated cells; they can resist high salinities, producing β‐carotene to balance osmotic stress. This pigment has important antioxidant properties for biotechnology, the prevention of tissue aging, the efficiency of the immune system, and sun protection against UV‐B rays. The objective of this study was to characterize native strains of the genus Dunaliella from the Marine Institute of Peru, under the influence of stress factors for the production and concentration of β‐carotene. Different tools were used to characterize these strains through molecular analysis, optimization of parameters for carotene accumulation, growth curves, life cycle, and carotene analysis. The accumulation of this pigment was mainly due to adaptation to salt stress. The differences between Dunaliella strains according to their population growth demonstrated that they did not have the same capacity to respond to the same cultivation conditions, although most of them are from the same species. The IMP‐BG‐001 strain, from Piura, can accumulate high concentrations of β‐carotene (up to 8.64 pg/cell) and still maintain a considerable growth rate without affecting the increase in biomass under controlled conditions.