Production of Natural Biopharmaceuticals from the Microalgae Living in the Dead Sea

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of ?-carotene production from Dunaliella isolated from the Dead Sea employing  a number of interdependent steps and focusing on the laboratory scale cultures. Then the produced Beta Carotene was subjected to enzymatic  oxidation to produce tretinoin (vitamin A). The produced vitamin A was verified using proper analysis.Dunaliella was isolated from the Dead Sea and cultivated using a certain media until the cell count was 500,000 cell/ml. The cultivation step was monitored and video captured using a digital microscope with USB camera, then it was centrifuged and extracted using organic solvents and oils like jojoba. The amount of dry weight was 2.1 g/L of which 3-6% was Beta Carotene.Freeze drying step was performed to obtain Beta Carotene as powder. The analysis of the powder was carried out by the research and development department at one of the local biopharmaceutical companies. It was evident that pilot plant investigations should be the next step on the way of commercialization of such a profitable  process,.

Key Words: Biopharmaceuticals, Microalgae, Beta Carotene, Cultivation, Dunaliella, Vitamin A.