Lutein and β-carotene biosynthesis in Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1 through differential light intensities

The study evaluated the biosynthesis of lutein and beta-carotene by Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1 under five different light intensities (50, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mu E/m(2)/s). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to determine relative quantities of lutein and beta-carotene. Relatively, high lutein content of 1.43 +/- 0.04 and 0.70 +/- 0.02 mg/g was found with 50 and 500 mu E/m(2)/s conditions respectively. beta-Carotene content was quantified as 0.15 +/- 0.01, 0.1 +/- 0.01 and 0.12 +/- 0.02 mg/g with 50, 250 and 500 mu E/m(2)/s conditions respectively. The light intensities altered photosystem II and photosystem I. At 50 mu E intensity, high chlorophyll content and high photosystem II quantum efficiency (F-V/F-M) was observed. Low F-V/F-M ratio of around 0.3 was detected in high light intensities (750 mu E and 1000 mu E) due to photoinhibition. Lipid fraction increased with increasing light intensity and the fatty acid profiles were similar in all five conditions.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the biosynthesis of lutein and beta-carotene by Scenedesmus sp. SVMIICT1 under different light intensities, finding that high lutein content was observed at 50 and 500 mu E/m(2)/s conditions. The study also showed that light intensities altered photosystem II and photosystem I in the algae.