Demonstration of the Antioxidant Potential of Three Newly Isolated Carotenoid-Producing Microscopic Algae from KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

Natural carotenoids from green microalgae exhibit beneficial effects in treating health-related diseases, primarily due to their antioxidant capacity. Therefore, carotenoid-producing were isolated and characterized aqueous samples KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) under photoautotrophic conditions. Three isolates comprehensively using light electron microscopy. In addition, the growth of three selected was evaluated photoheterotrophic Based on cytological characteristics, strains matched genera Haematococcus, Parachlorella, Scenedesmus, latter two additionally confirmed via analysis 18S rRNA gene sequence at genus level. Light microscopy UV-Vis spectroscopy pigment production by all microalgal strains. Both isolate Parachlorella sp. AA1 Scenedesmus AA2 showed highest rate when cultured with acetate (25 mM) photoheterotrophically, while Haematococcus AA3 grew best glucose (50 mM). utilized salicylate as a carbon source conditions, evidently resulting increased carotenoid AA3. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay that methanol extracts contained can scavenge radicals, thin layer chromatography (TLC) β-carotene astaxanthin formed strain main carotenoids.