Dunaliella is a genus of unicellular, bi-flagellate green algae that is common in marine waters. It lacks a cell wall and contains a single cup-shaped chloroplast. Dunaliella salina is able to accumulate high concentrations of beta-carotene, which gives the cells an orange-red color and helps the algae tolerate high salt concentrations. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A and is extracted from Dunaliella salina. Haematococcus is a genus of freshwater microalgae that is the main natural source of astaxanthin, a red carotenoid pigment. Astaxanthin is synthesized by some micro

1. Dunaliella
&
Haematococcus
Karthick.s(Daleson)
CAS in botany
University of Madras

2. Dunaliella
is a unicellular,
bi-flagellate so motile.
rod to ovoid shaped (9−11 µm) green algae (Chlorophyceae), which
are common in marine waters.
naked green alga (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae).
is morphologically similar to Chlamydomonas with the main
difference being the absence of a cell wall in Dunaliella.
has two flagella of equal length and a single, cup-shaped
chloroplast, which in the marine and halophilic species has a central
pyrenoid .
family Dunaliellaceae.
Class chlorophyceae.

3. Unique character of dunaliella
Dunaliella salina is characterized by its ability to accumulate very
high concentrations of β-carotene.
large quantities of β-carotene so that the cells appear orange-red
extremely salt tolerant.
Similar morphology to chlamydomonas.
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Viridiplantae
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Dunaliellaceae
Genus: Dunaliella

4. β-carotene
is a lipid- and oil-soluble product.
is pro-Vitamin A
is an excellent source of this vitamin since it is not toxic at even high doses. Because of its
antioxidant and free-radical trapping β-carotene also appears to have a cancer- preventative
action, especially against epithelial cancers such as lung cancer.
 is an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A .
 strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits.
 are terpenoids (isoprenoids), synthesized biochemically from eight isoprene units and thus
having 40 carbons.
Among the carotenes, β-carotene is distinguished by having beta-rings at both ends of
the molecule.
 β-Carotene is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate.
 Isolation of β-carotene from fruits abundant in carotenoids is commonly done using
column chromatography.
 It can also be extracted from the beta-carotene rich algae, Dunaliella salina.
 β-Carotene is a non-polar compound, so it is separated with a non-polar solvent such
as hexane.

5. is a genus of algae.
specifically of the Haematococcaceae.
Members of this group are the common cause for the pink color found in
birdbaths.
is unicellular.
 fresh water microalga
distributed in many habitats worldwide.
best natural source of astaxanthin
Haematococcus
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Haematococcaceae
Genus: Haematococcus

6.  (3,3′-dihydroxy-ß-carotene-4,4′-dione)
is a bright red
secondary carotenoid from the same family as lycopene, lutein, and β-carotene,
synthesized de novo by some microalgae, plants, yeast, bacteria.
 present in many of our favored seafood including salmon, trout, red sea bream,
shrimp, lobster, and fish eggs.
contains two chiral centers .
 can exist in three different stereoizomers, (3S, 3′S); (3R, 3′S), and (3R, 3′R).
 haematococus pluvialis is used as a nutraceutical for human health and as a coloring
agent for aquaculture.
is a lipid-soluble pigment.
 is a blood-red pigment and naturally originates in the rainwater microalgae
(Haematococcus pluvialis).
C40H52O4
Astaxanthin