TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF MICROALGAE DUNALIELLA SALINA WERE CULTIVATED UNDER SALINITY STRESS IN SALT FIELD MEDIA

Abstract

Dunaliella salina (D. salina), a unicellular green microalga, has rich sources of natural antioxidants, particularly β-carotene. In this study, we determined how the different salt concentrations affected the cell density, the total phenolic content, and the antioxidant capacity of D. salina CCAP 19/18 on RM1 and RM2 media. As a result, D. salina was exposed to various salt stress concentrations to inhibit after 13 days of enrichment, with salt stress up to 4M showing significantly higher total
phenolic content in both RM1 and RM2 media, at approximately 23.617 fg acid gallic/cell and 5.735 fg acid gallic/cell, respectively. Similarly, the figures for the antioxidant capacity in RM1 and RM2 media stood at 217.345 %/cell and 178.090 %/cell, respectively. The outcomes of this investigation can be used to enhance the antioxidant substance production in microalgae for functional food and biofuel in the future.