The cultivation of microalgae presents a great biotechnological potential, mainly to produce natural bioactive substances, which can be used in the pharmaceutical industry and especially in the development of functional foods, thanks to its nutritional properties. Among the commercially important microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis is considered the main source of natural astaxanthin, a carotenoid of high antioxidant action and with wide applications in the nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food and aquaculture industries. This review aimed to cover the most important aspects of biology, biochemical composition, biosynthesis and astaxanthin accumulation in the cells of H. pluvialis, in addition to its broad application to humans and animals. The methodology used in this work was a systematic review of the literature, presenting the gaps and opportunities for research. This work provided a broader view of the technologies and methodologies used to produce H. pluvialis, providing a direction for future work to be undertaken. During the bibliographic survey, it was observed that information regarding the cultivation of H. pluvialis, aiming at the production of astaxanthin, is still very incipient in Brazil, with results observed only on a laboratory scale, making it difficult to really understand the implementation costs for a possible commercial production. This work has started a larger research and will serve as a basis for future activities, mainly to solve possible doubts.

Aiming at analyzing the water quality at Iracema Beach, in Fortaleza/CE, as well as characterizing the planktonic community, monthly collections were carried out between February and November 2019, with 100 liters of water being filtered, concentrated to 10 mL and preserved in 4% formalin. In the laboratory, via microscopy, the plankton species were identified and then classified based on references relevant to the subject, as well as consultations with specialists and electronic addresses. Furthermore, data on water temperature, transparency, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH were obtained in situ. Bimonthly, one liter of water was collected for microbiological analysis, in the laboratory. The parameters analyzed showed good quality water, with 17 phytoplankton species being recorded, distributed among the Classes Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Mediophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae and Zygnematophyceae. For zooplankton, there were five species included in the Rotifera, Cladocera and Crustacea Classes. Phytoplanktonic species diversity was high, the zooplanktonic was low; very high equability and low species richness in both communities. No species was considered a bioindicator of eutrophication or pollution, and the microbiological analysis showed minimum values ​​of thermotolerant coliforms, and the waters of Iracema Beach can be classified as class one saline, intended for recreation and with a very good quality.

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