The growth and astaxanthin production of a new strain of Haematococcus lacustris from Ica (Peru)

Manrique-Vera G.I.; Lopez-Alvarez N.P.; Huaraya-Chambi F.R.; Barreda-Del-Carpio J.E.; Medina-Cabrera E.V.; Cárdenas-García J.D. · International Microbiology (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s10123-026-00825-0

Resumen

A new microalgae strain was isolated from freshwater samples from Ica (Peru). Firstly, using morphological and molecular evaluations the strain was identified as Haematococcus lacustris. Then, H. lacustris growth behavior and astaxanthin production were characterized. In this regard, a maximum cell density of 1.48 × 105 cells mL− 1 (green phase) was reached using the following parameters: Bold’s Basal medium, pH between 7 and 7.8, temperature of 20–21 °C and photoperiod 12/12 hours day/night cycle. After reaching the maximum cell density, H. lacustris was exposed to sunlight (high irradiance) and 0.5% of sodium acetate, which was added into the cultivation medium to trigger astaxanthin production (red phase). Additionally, an ultrasound-assisted chemical disruption, acetone extraction was identified as the most adequate procedure to obtain astaxanthin (18.87 ± 1.71 mg g− 1) from the Peruvian H. lacustris dry biomass. © The Author(s) 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica de Santa María