Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium

Gökçe Kendirlioğlu Şimşek; A. Kadri Çetin

doi:10.47947/ijnls.1840822

Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium

Abstract

This study investigates the response of Haematococcus pluvialis to controlled induction of the cyst stage using a high-carbon molasses medium and evaluates how distinct photoperiod regimes (16L/8D, 12L/12D, 8L/16D, 4L/20D, and 24D) regulate cell development and metabolite accumulation. The applying of molasses at 8 g/L effectively reduced light penetration and generated a carbon-rich stress environment, accelerating encystment and promoting the activation of metabolic pathways associated with astaxanthin, protein and lipid enrichment. Growth analyses indicated that the 16L/8D treatment supported the highest cell density even under cyst-inducing conditions, highlighting the stimulatory role of extended illumination. Protein formation was maximized under this regime, reaching 2.409 µg/mL on day 10, whereas the 12L/12D cycle provided the strongest stimulation for astaxanthin synthesis, with a peak value of 2.997 µg/mL. Lipid levels followed a similar pattern, with the most highest accumulation (65.9%) observed under long-light conditions, while continuous darkness markedly suppressed all metabolic outputs. Correlation mapping revealed that the photoperiod exerted a coordinated regulatory influence on growth, astaxanthin, protein, and lipid production, indicating an integrated metabolic adjustment to light–dark cycling during the cyst phase. Overall, the findings demonstrate that molasses is a low-cost and efficient substrate for inducing the red/cyst stage and that optimizing of photoperiod conditions can substantially enhance the biosynthesis of high-value metabolites. These results provide a promising framework for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable production strategies in astaxanthin biotechnology, functional food development, nutraceutical formulations, and microalgae-based biofuel applications.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Algal Biotechnology Laboratory at Fırat University for providing the research infrastructure, laboratory facilities, and technical assistance that made this study possible.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Botany (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gökçe Kendirlioğlu Şimşek ^*
0000-0001-8896-2893
Türkiye

A. Kadri Çetin
0000-0002-8687-2912
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

December 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47947/ijnls.1840822

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA65RE97GS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kendirlioğlu Şimşek, G., & Çetin, A. K. (2025). Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences, 9(2), 127-141. https://doi.org/10.47947/ijnls.1840822

AMA

1.Kendirlioğlu Şimşek G, Çetin AK. Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. Int J Nature Life Sci. 2025;9(2):127-141. doi:10.47947/ijnls.1840822

Chicago

Kendirlioğlu Şimşek, Gökçe, and A. Kadri Çetin. 2025. “Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus Pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium”. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences 9 (2): 127-41. https://doi.org/10.47947/ijnls.1840822.

EndNote

Kendirlioğlu Şimşek G, Çetin AK (December 1, 2025) Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences 9 2 127–141.

IEEE

[1]G. Kendirlioğlu Şimşek and A. K. Çetin, “Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium”, Int J Nature Life Sci, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 127–141, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.47947/ijnls.1840822.

ISNAD

Kendirlioğlu Şimşek, Gökçe - Çetin, A. Kadri. “Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus Pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium”. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences 9/2 (December 1, 2025): 127-141. https://doi.org/10.47947/ijnls.1840822.

JAMA

1.Kendirlioğlu Şimşek G, Çetin AK. Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. Int J Nature Life Sci. 2025;9:127–141.

MLA

Kendirlioğlu Şimşek, Gökçe, and A. Kadri Çetin. “Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus Pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium”. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences, vol. 9, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 127-41, doi:10.47947/ijnls.1840822.

Vancouver

1.Gökçe Kendirlioğlu Şimşek, A. Kadri Çetin. Influence of Photoperiod on Lipid, Protein and Astaxanthin Content of Cystic Haematococcus pluvialis Cultivated in High-Concentration Molasses Medium. Int J Nature Life Sci. 2025 Dec. 1;9(2):127-41. doi:10.47947/ijnls.1840822