Haematococcus pluvialis

Haematococcus pluvialis
Haematococcus pluvialis cysts full of astaxanthin
A coccal H. pluvialis cell, void of astaxanthin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Haematococcaceae
Genus: Haematococcus
Species:
H. pluvialis
Binomial name
Haematococcus pluvialis
(Flotow, 1844)

Haematococcus pluvialis is a freshwater species of Chlorophyta from the family Haematococcaceae. This species is well known for its high content of the strong antioxidant astaxanthin, which is important in aquaculture, and cosmetics.[1] The high amount of astaxanthin is present in the resting cells, which are produced and rapidly accumulated when the environmental conditions become unfavorable for normal cell growth. Examples of such conditions include bright light, high salinity, and low availability of nutrients.[2] Haematococcus pluvialis is usually found in temperate regions around the world. Their resting cysts are often responsible for the blood-red colour seen in the bottom of dried out rock pools and bird baths. This colour is caused by astaxanthin which is believed to protect the resting cysts from the detrimental effect of UV-radiation, when exposed to direct sunlight.[3]

  1. ^ Lorentz, R. T., and G. R. Cysewski. 2000. Commercial potential for Haematococcus microalgae as a natural source of astaxanthin. Trends Biotechnol. 18: 160-167.
  2. ^ S. Boussiba, and A. Vonshak, 1991. Astaxanthin Accumulation in the Green Alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Plant and Cell Physiology. 32: No. 7. 1077-1082
  3. ^ J. R. Dore, and G. R. Cysewski. 2003 Haematococcus algae meal as a source of natural astaxanthin for aquaculture feeds. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Cyanotech Corporation. Hawaii.