Growth and carotenoid production of Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-1 cultured under superbright red and blue light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Isomers of astaxanthin produced by Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-1 are identified as (3S,3S′)-trans-astaxanthin, (3R,3R′)-trans-astaxanthin and (3S,3S′)-cis-astaxanthin by chirality column HPLC, and 1H and 13C NMR. We studied the effects of light generated by superbright blue, red and near-red LEDs on the growth and carotenoid production of Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-1. Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-1 responded to blue LEDs light: It produced carotenoid pigments (astaxanthin).