| Abstract: | The growth characteristics of Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow were determined in batch culture. Optimal temperature for growth of the alga was between 25° and 28°C, at which the specific growth rate was 0.054 h?1. At higher temperatures, no cell division was observed, and cell diameter increased from 5 to 25 μm. The saturated irradiance for growth of the alga was 90 μmol quanta · m?2·s?1; under higher irradiances (e.g. 400 μmol quanta·m?2·s?1) astaxanthin accumulation was induced. Growth rate, cell cycle, and astaxanthin accumulation were significantly affected by growth conditions. Careful attention should be given to the use of optimal growth conditions when studying these processes. |
