The Effect of Salt Shock on Growth and Pigment Accumulation of Dunaliella Salina

TL;DR

This study examines how salt shock at various NaCl concentrations affects growth and pigment accumulation in Dunaliella salina, highlighting optimal conditions for beta-carotene production and pigment enhancement.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how salt shock influences growth and pigment accumulation, identifying optimal salt concentrations for maximizing beta-carotene in Dunaliella salina.

Findings

Maximum growth at 1 M NaCl salt shock.

Highest beta-carotene accumulation at 1 M NaCl.

Salt shock can enhance pigment production in Dunaliella salina.

Abstract

Dunaliella Salina is a halotolerant microalga with great pharmaceutical and industrial potential, which commonly exists in hypersaline environments. Moreover, it is the best commercial source of beta-carotene (which has high anti-oxidant properties) in comparison to other microalgae. In this study, we investigated growth and accumulations of chlorophyll a and b, beta-carotene, and carotenoid after salt shock in 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 M concentrations of NaCl. The highest cell growth rate was observed in 1 M salt shock at 22-25 centigrade with a light intensity of 2.084 (mW.cm)^(-2), a light period of 12-12, and at an initial pH of about 7.1. Although the cell growth was enhanced in 1 and 1.5M, further increase in salt content harmed cell growth. The most considerable beta-carotene quantity was attained after 1M salt shock. According to the experimental observations, it was seen that the salt shock in some concentrations is one of the practical approaches to improve the accumulation of pigments. Keywords: beta-carotene, Dunaliella salina, salt shock, pigment accumulation.