Preliminary evaluation of impact of monochromatic light on the biosynthesis of astaxanthin in green alga Haematococcus pluvialis

Astaxanthin biosynthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis was enhanced by different monochromatic light patterns. Among the monochromatic light, red light was found most effective for facilitation of astaxanthin - up to 0.055 µg mL-1, followed by blue light, while the biosynthesis of astaxanthin in unfiltered white fluorescent light was found to be 0.04 µg mL-1. Astaxanthin use as drawn from Haematococcus, will expand not only in the consumer market, but also in the worldwide medical market, therefore, an optimal biosynthesis method for astaxanthin production is important.