Patents

Microalgae are known for many high value metabolites such as carotenoids, phycobiliproteins and biomolecules of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Although lutein forms the major pigment during growth phase of many microalgae, only limited organisms such as Chlorella and Muriellopsis are exploited. These algae are mainly grown under heterotrophic conditions in closed bioreactors. The invention is focused on an improved medium for autotrophic growth of selected microalgae such as Dunaliella and Botryococcus for lutein production. The improved medium enhanced the lutein content by 5-7 folds.