We isolated a novel strain of the microalga Tetraedron minimum in Iceland from a terrestrial habitat. During long-term cultivation, a dish culture turned orange, indicating the presence of secondary pigments. Thus, we characterized T. minimum for growth and possible carotenoid production in different inorganic media. In a lab-scale photobioreactor, we confirmed that nitrogen starvation in combination with salt stress triggered a secondary carotenoid accumulation. The development of the pigment composition and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was analyzed throughout the cultivations. The final secondary carotenoid composition was, on average, 61.1% astaxanthin and 38.9% adonixanthin. Moreover, the cells accumulated approx. 83.1% unsaturated fatty acids. This work presents the first report of the formation of secondary carotenoids within the family Hydrodictyaceae (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyta).
Keywords: adonixanthin; antioxidant capacity; astaxanthin; fatty acid profile; nitrogen starvation; palmelloids; pigment composition; salt stress; stirred photobioreactor.