Dunaliella salina is a type of
halophile green micro-
algae especially found in sea salt fields. Known for its
antioxidant activity because of its ability to create large amount of
carotenoids, it is used in
cosmetics and
dietary supplements. Few organisms can survive in such highly saline conditions as
salt evaporation ponds. To survive, these organisms have high concentrations of
ß-carotene to protect against the intense light, and high concentrations of
glycerol to provide protection against
osmotic pressure. This offers an opportunity for commercial biological production of these substances. From a first pilot plant for
Dunaliella cultivation for ß-carotene production established in the
USSR in 1966, the commercial cultivation of
Dunaliella for the production of ß-carotene throughout the world is now one of the success stories of halophile biotechnology. Different technologies are used, from low-tech extensive cultivation in lagoons to intensive cultivation at high cell densities under carefully controlled conditions. Although
Dunaliella salina produce ß-carotene in a high salt environment,
Archaea such as
Halobacterium, not
Dunaliella, are responsible for the red and pink coloring of salt lakes. Occasionally, orange patches of
Dunaliella colonies will crop up.