Enhancing production-extraction and antioxidant activity of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis

Aim: The growth of H. pluvialis by various extraction methods and was studied its growth, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative ability under visible light and varying pH was compared. Methodology: This study compared the growth of H. pluvialis under four different LED lights and three pH values, and demonstrated the astaxanthin content and antioxidant effects of them. The supercritical fluid chromatography and solvent extraction were conducted to compare the astaxanthin contents. Results: The highest growth rate was observed under green LED light at all pH condition (6, 8, 10). Under green LED, the correlation (R2) between cell counts and chlorophyll a, b and total carotenoid was 0.9581, 0.7652 and 0.9095, respectively. The solvent extraction of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis was 137% higher than that of solid extract injection method using Super Fluid Chromatography. Interpretation: This study will contribute in establishing the culture conditions to enhance the biomass and astaxanthin from H. pluvialis.