earticle

영어

Haematococcus pluvialis synthesizes a high yield of astaxanthin using CO2 in a photoautotrophic culture without contaminant heterotrophs; however, it takes too long to induce astaxanthin production. In this study, a highly-photosensitive mutant strain was attained by conventional random mutagenesis to shorten induction time. Sensitivity to photoinhibition in this mutant was raised by a partial lesion in the photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis, thereby prompting a change in cellular morphology as well stimulating carotenogenesis (astaxanthin production). As a result, the concentrations of cell biomass and astaxanthin were dramatically increased by 27% and 53% under strong light and 40% and 137% under moderate light, respectively. This Haematococcus mutant would be useful for the economical production of astaxanthin to reduce the light energy expenses in a photoautotrophic culture system, particularly in light-insufficient area.