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The green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis synthesizes secondary carotenoids after exposure to environmental stress, a process that is used for the biotechnological production of astaxanthin (Ax). This study reports, for the first time, the medium-dependent changes in the carotenoid pattern throughout the cultivation process as well as the exact composition of carotenoids and their fatty acid mono-and diesters using LC-MS. Secondary carotenoid formation started immediately upon exposure to nutrient depletion and high light conditions. Ax and its corresponding monoand diesters were detected simultaneously. After 15 days of cultivation, no significant changes were detected in carotenoid composition; however, the ratio between carotenoid mono-and diesters still varied. Main carotenoids were identified as Ax linolenate and Ax oleate, but also five adonirubin and one lutein monoester were detected. The influence of three different autotroph media was studied on carotenoid content, which reached a maximum 16.1 mg/g dry weight. The results indicate that media composition has an influence on the ratio of Ax mono-to diester but not on the qualitative composition of secondary carotenoids in H. pluvialis. Beside the pathway via echinenone, canthaxanthin and adonirubin the results indicate that Ax biosynthesis takes place via another route: from β-carotene via β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and adonixanthin.

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