Mechanisms of induction of β-carotene accumulation in microalgae Dunaliella salina cells with nitrogen starvation

Authors

  • Tatsiana V. Samovich V. F. Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 27 Akademichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus
  • Alexei D. Svechko B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 68-2 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220072, Belarus
  • Nikolay V. Kozel Biotechnological Scientific Centre, 18 Piekinski Avenue, China-Belarus Industrial Park «Great Stone» 222210, Smaliavichy District, Minsk Region, Belarus , Peasant (farm) economy «Serebryanyj ruchej», Sasnovaja 222202, Aziarycka-Slabadski village council, Smaliavichy District, Minsk Region, Belarus

Keywords:

microalgae, Dunaliella salina, β-carotene, photosynthetic apparatus, nitrogen starvation

Abstract

It has been shown that conditions of nitrogen starvation and exposure to high intensity light significantly affect the pigment composition of cells of microalgae Dunaliella salina (strain IBCE D-1) during its cultivation. In particular, there is a decrease of the concentration of chlorophyll and neoxanthine by 7 times, violaxanthin by 5, lutein by 4 times against the background of an increase of the concentration of β-carotene in the cells of microalgae by 6 times. The combined effect of nitrogen starvation and high intensity light is the most effective of the methods studied in the work to increase the production of β-carotene by cells of D. salina. A decrease in the D1 protein amount of the reaction centre of photosystem II and a predominant activity suppression of this photosystem in the cells of microalgae cultivated in a nitrogen-deficient medium was found, which may be a key factor in increased synthesis of β-carotene.

Author Biographies

  • Tatsiana V. Samovich, V. F. Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 27 Akademichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    PhD (biology); leading researcher at the laboratory of plant growth and development

  • Alexei D. Svechko, B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 68-2 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    junior researcher at the centre «Laser optical technologies for medicine and biology»

  • Nikolay V. Kozel, Biotechnological Scientific Centre, 18 Piekinski Avenue, China-Belarus Industrial Park «Great Stone» 222210, Smaliavichy District, Minsk Region, Belarus, Peasant (farm) economy «Serebryanyj ruchej», Sasnovaja 222202, Aziarycka-Slabadski village council, Smaliavichy District, Minsk Region, Belarus

    PhD (biology), docent; leading researcher, Biotechnological Scientific Centre, and chief technologist, Peasant (farm) economy «Serebryanyj ruchej»

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Published

2026-02-17

Issue

No. 3 (2025): Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

Section

Physiology and Сell Biology

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How to Cite

Samovich, T. V., Svechko, A. D., & Kozel, N. V. (2026). Mechanisms of induction of β-carotene accumulation in microalgae Dunaliella salina cells with nitrogen starvation. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 3, 26-37. https://doi.org/10.33581/2957-5060-2025-3-%p