The unicellular green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis, accumulates the highest level of astaxanthin among known astaxanthin-producing organisms. Light is the most important factor to induce astaxanthin by H. pluvialis. Blue and red LEDs, whose λmax’s are 470 and 665 nm, respectively, were used for internally illuminated light sources. Fluorescent lamps were also used for both internal and external illumination sources. The astaxanthin levels in these various lighting systems were analyzed and compared each other.
In order to produce high level of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis, a proper design of photobioreactor and illumination by effective light sources are required. The quality of light, such as wavelength and/or emission spectra of light also affects the performance of algae cultivations as well as astaxanthin production.