Isolation and Cultivation of a Newly-Discovered Astaxanthin-Rich Green Microalga - Haematococcus sp. Flotow Strain from Homeros Valley (Bornova Creek, Izmir, Turkey)

Samples of the green unicellular microalgae Haematococcus Flotow 1844 were collected from freshwater ponds in Homeros Valley, Bornova Creek, Izmir, Turkey. Specimens were isolated using the micropipetting method and were microscopically examined for morphological features. One isolate was identified as a local strain of Haematococcus sp. In addition, Scenedesmus acuminatus (Lagerheim) Chodat 1902, Scenedesmus dimorphus (Turpin) Kutzing 1834 and Chlorella elipsodae Gernerck 1907 were found. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) extracts of the local Haematococcus strain contained (similar to)3.6 % total astaxanthin in dry weight. The isolate's culture was scaled up in greenhouse raceway ponds in batch mode and several parameters of biomass yield (cell density, optical density, dry weight content and chlorophyll a content) were measured during a two weeks growth trial. The Turkish isolate of Haematococcus sp. seems to be a promising candidate for the commercial production of astaxanthin for food and pharmaceuticals.