Lutein and β-carotene biosynthesis in Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1 through differential light intensities

[Display omitted] •50 µE, 500 µE light intensity favored high Lutein content in Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1.•Lutein, β carotene relative quantity measured (LC/MS) in Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1.•Enzymes of carotenoid biosynthesis pathway were detected in KEGG analysis.•High light intensity increased high total lipid percentage (18%) in this microalgae.•50 µE favored high PSII quantum efficiency and chlorophyll a fluorescence OJIP curve. The study evaluated the biosynthesis of lutein and β-carotene by Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1 under five different light intensities (50, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µE/m2/s). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to determine relative quantities of lutein and β-carotene. Relatively, high lutein content of 1.43 ± 0.04 and 0.70 ± 0.02 mg/g was found with 50 and 500 µE/m2/s conditions respectively. β-Carotene content was quantified as 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.1 ± 0.01 and 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/g with 50, 250 and 500 µE/m2/s conditions respectively. The light intensities altered photosystem II and photosystem I. At 50 µE intensity, high chlorophyll content and high photosystem II quantum efficiency (FV/FM) was observed. Low FV/FM ratio of around 0.3 was detected in high light intensities (750 µE and 1000 µE) due to photoinhibition. Lipid fraction increased with increasing light intensity and the fatty acid profiles were similar in all five conditions.