Optimization of some environmental conditions for the development of the algae Haematococcus pluvialis, and production the largest amount of chlorophyll a,b and carotenoids pigments

Abstract

Microalgae culture is affected by environmental factors, which not only affect photosynthesis and growth rate, but also affect the metabolic activity and structure of the cell. Therefore, this research was concerned with creating optimum growth conditions in order to increase productivity and biomass containing high value metabolites. Haematococcus pluvialis, one of the green microalgae, was isolated from the waters of Barada River, and it was grown in the laboratory using a photobioreactor, under the influence of different environmental conditions: temperature (15, 25, 35 °C), nitrogen concentration (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 g/l), and pH (6,7,8). The results showed that the environmental conditions (temperature 23°C, nitrogen concentration 0.3 g/l, pH7) were optimal for the development of the alga and its productivity, as the highest concentration of chlorophyll a (10.17 mg/L) and the highest concentration of chlorophyll b (6.07 mg/L), while the environmental conditions (temperature 27°C, nitrogen concentration 0.1 g/l, pH8) were optimal to reach the highest concentration of carotenoids (1.23 mg/L).