Biotechnology Letters, Vol.25, No.7, 527-529, 2003
Screening and characterization of astaxanthin-hyperproducing mutants of Haematococcus pluvialis
Haematococcus pluvialis was mutated by UV or ethyl methanesulphonate. Mutants resistant to nicotine, diphenylamine, fluridone or norflurazon were then selected. Several nicotine-resistant mutants showed increased (1.9% to 2.5% vs. 1.2% w/w) astaxanthin production. Mutants maintained high astaxanthin production over 4 months of repeated culture.