Influence of stress factors on growth and pigment production in three Dunaliella species cultivated outdoors in flat-plate photobioreactors

Growth and production of carotenoid in three Dunaliella species (Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco, Dunaliella bardawil Ben-Amotz & Avron and Dunaliella sp.) were investigated using flat-plate photobioreactors in outdoor conditions with two optical paths (3 cm and 5 cm). The experiment was conducted in duplicate and lasted four weeks during which light intensity, temperature, pH and optical density were checked daily. The pigment production (total carotenoid and chlorophyll a) was monitored every two days. To induce an additional stress besides temperature and light intensity, two different salt concentrations were used, i.e. 6% and 8% NaCl. The highest growth in all treatment groups was noticed for Dunaliella sp. followed by D. bardawil and D. salina. D. salina produced a higher content of carotenoid concentrations corresponding to 5 cm/8% and 5 cm/6% groups; 779.102 +/- 0.434 mu g.mL(-1) and 694.326 +/- 0.098 mu g.mL(-1) were registered at the end of the experiment. The same species had also greater content of beta-carotene.