Isolation and identification of carotenoid-producing microalgae from Demak marine waters

The abundant number of existing species of microalgae in the environment constitutes biodiversity, which supports potential commercial exploitation of many novel products like carotenoid. Microalgae represent a sustainable source of any kinds of natural carotenoid. Aquaculture requires antioxidant supplements such as carotenoids but are unable to synthesize de novo. Carotenoids are needed to improve survival. The production of carotenoids has been one of the activities in microalgae. The objective of the study was to isolate and identify microalgae that can produce carotenoid from Demak marine waters. Production of carotenoid was measured using Spectrophotometer according to AOAC methods. The research found some potentially carotenogenic microalgae member of diatom in the aquatic environment of Demak which is thought to be a species of Melossira, Thalassiotrix, Rhizosolenia, Navicula, Climacodium, Achanthes, Loxophyllum , and Trichodesmium. These species potentially produce carotenoid and antioxidant properties with variety range.