BETA-CAROTENE, VITAMIN-C AND VITAMIN-E CONTENT OF THE MARINE MICROALGA DUNALIELLA-TERTIOLECTA CULTURED WITH DIFFERENT NITROGEN-SOURCES

Variations in the beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E content of D. tertiolecta have been shown to result from the nitrogen source used in the culture medium. Differences of 101%, 38% and 69% have been found in beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and tocopherol content in mg/g of dry matter, respectively, and differences of 147%, 63% and 37% occurred in beta-carotene, vitamin C and E concentrations in mg/litre of culture, respectively. Considering the beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E content in mg/g of chlorophyll a, maximum variations occurred in beta-carotene content, with differences of 145% among the different nitrogen sources. Maximum beta-carotene and vitamin C values were found in urea cultures, whereas urea cultures showed the minimum values for vitamin E.