Producing Natural Mixed Carotenoids from Dunaliella salina

Abstract

The aim of this work was to cultivate the micro algae Dunaliella salina isolated from the Dead Sea by using a certain media. The cell number was found to be 6 million cells per ml after two weeks of cultivation. The micro algae was harvested and centrifuged, after that it was extracted using ethanol as a solvent. UV- spectrophotometry analysis was carried out for beta carotene and other carotenoids . The analysis showed the presence of different carotenoids,  mainly  beta carotene and  a mixture of different compounds like  astaxanthin, which can be considered as an added value.It is evident that this process should find its way for commercialization through a pilot plant at the first step, then by an industrial plant after verifying the results of the pilot plant.

Keywords: Dunaliella salina, Beta Carotene, Cultivation, Cell counting, Astaxanthin, Extraction.