OPTIMIZATION METHOD OF BLUE LED LIGHT INTENSITY TO INCREASE APLANOSPORA DENSITY AND ASTAXANTHIN PRODUCTION FROM MICROALGAE Haematococcus pluvialis

Abstract

This invention concerns a method of optimizing blue LED light intensity at a wavelength of 450 nm to increase aplanospore density and astaxanthin production percentage from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. This method includes the preparation and sterilization of BG-11 media, maintenance of H. pluvialis green cell culture in Laminar Air Flow until stationary phase, then exposure to blue LED light at an intensity range of 15-45 μmol photons mâ »²sâ »¹ with a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. The light intensity was verified using a PAR meter, while cell transformation was monitored periodically using a hemocytometer. The parameters observed included cell density, specific growth rate, cell phase transformation pattern, doubling time, and astaxanthin production percentage. This invention provides an efficient and standardized lighting protocol to optimize astaxanthin production from H.pluvialis while minimizing the risk of photoinhibition in laboratory-scale photobioreactor systems.