Production and analysis of secondary carotenoids in green algae

The microalgae Neochloris wimmeri, Scenedesmus vacuolatus, Scotiellopsis oo cystiformis, Chlorella zofingiensis and Protosiphon botryoides were grown u nder secondary carotenoid inductive conditions. The results indicate that n itrogen deficiency and high light intensity are potential inducers of astax anthin formation in the five microalgae studied. All these microalgae accum ulate significant quantities of secondary carotenoids, mainly as astaxanthi n esters and canthaxanthin. They also showed high resistance to environment al conditions. All these qualities make these microalgae good candidates fo r successful culture in open ponds.