A new insight into the commercial applications of halotolerant green algae Dunaliella

Abstract

Recently, the cultivation of microalgae as a renewable source of fuel and energy has been receiving much attention globally. Dunaliella is probably the most halotolerant and dominant photosynthetic eukaryote that thrives in most natural and artificial hypersaline niches occupied almost exclusively by halophilic archaebacteria. This alga is cultivated commercially as a source of many valuable macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and pigments. It is one of the best sources for the commercial production of carotene, glycerol and protein. Different species of Dunaliella have the ability to produce a wide variety of high-value bioactive compounds, fine biochemicals, and bulk compounds such as lipids, pigments, natural dyes and biomass. The ability to grow at high salt concentrations coupled with the production of high amount of β-carotene, glycerol and protein have made this microalga an attractive candidate for commercial application in medicine, the food industry and agriculture. © 2018 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.