ACCUMULATION OF ASTAXANTHIN IN CHLOROPHYTES UNDER CULTURE MEDIUM-STARVED CONDITION  

The vegetative cells of chlorophycean microalgae were exposed to culture medium-starved condition. Growth medium deficiency effectively induced astaxanthin formation in the investigated chlorophytes. Haematococcus lacustris biosynthesized the highest cellular astaxanthin and total carotenoid contents (26.773±2.235 mg g^-1 and 28.613±2.314 mg g^-1, respectively) compared to Chlorella vulgaris (0.182±0.015 mg g^-1 and 3.176±0.062 mg g^-1, respectively), Schizochlamydella capsulata (0.228±0.015 mg g^-1 and 3.515±0.077 mg g^-1, respectively) and Tetraselmis striata (0.253±0.012 mg g^-1 and 4.155±0.076 mg g^-1, respectively). The feasibility of astaxanthin accumulation corresponds to a multifunctional defence response of microalgae against adverse culture conditions.