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Journals / International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences / 2025 / Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium

Gökçe Kendirlioğlu Şimşek(FIRAT ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-8896-2893
A. Kadri Çetin(FIRAT ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8687-2912
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-12-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, the findings demonstrate that molasses is a low-cost and efficient substrate for inducing the red/cyst stage and that optimizing of photoperiod conditions can substantially enhance the biosynthesis of high-value metabolites.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigates the response of Haematococcus pluvialis to controlled induction of the cyst stage using a high-carbon molasses medium and evaluates how distinct photoperiod regimes (16L/8D, 12L/12D, 8L/16D, 4L/20D, and 24D) regulate cell development and metabolite accumulation.
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Key Findings & Data:The applying of molasses at 8 g/L effectively reduced light penetration and generated a carbon-rich stress environment, accelerating encystment and promoting the activation of metabolic pathways associated with astaxanthin, protein and lipid enrichment.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, the findings demonstrate that molasses is a low-cost and efficient substrate for inducing the red/cyst stage and that optimizing of photoperiod conditions can substantially enhance the biosynthesis of high-value metabolites.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Haematococcus pluvialis · Molasses · Astaxanthin

Abstract

This study investigates the response of Haematococcus pluvialis to controlled induction of the cyst stage using a high-carbon molasses medium and evaluates how distinct photoperiod regimes (16L/8D, 12L/12D, 8L/16D, 4L/20D, and 24D) regulate cell development and metabolite accumulation. The applying of molasses at 8 g/L effectively reduced light penetration and generated a carbon-rich stress environment, accelerating encystment and promoting the activation of metabolic pathways associated with astaxanthin, protein and lipid enrichment. Growth analyses indicated that the 16L/8D treatment supported the highest cell density even under cyst-inducing conditions, highlighting the stimulatory role of extended illumination. Protein formation was maximized under this regime, reaching 2.409 µg/mL on day 10, whereas the 12L/12D cycle provided the strongest stimulation for astaxanthin synthesis, with a peak value of 2.997 µg/mL. Lipid levels followed a similar pattern, with the most highest accumulation (65.9%) observed under long-light conditions, while continuous darkness markedly suppressed all metabolic outputs. Correlation mapping revealed that the photoperiod exerted a coordinated regulatory influence on growth, astaxanthin, protein, and lipid production, indicating an integrated metabolic adjustment to light–dark cycling during the cyst phase. Overall, the findings demonstrate that molasses is a low-cost and efficient substrate for inducing the red/cyst stage and that optimizing of photoperiod conditions can substantially enhance the biosynthesis of high-value metabolites. These results provide a promising framework for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable production strategies in astaxanthin biotechnology, functional food development, nutraceutical formulations, and microalgae-based biofuel applications.

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Cite This Article

Şimşek, G. K., Çetin, A. K. (2025). Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences, Volume: 9 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.47947/ijnls.1840822

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