At Present, Paying attention to Biotechnology of Micro-algae for Production of fin chemicals and single cell protein is remarkable, as the petroleum reservoirs are being depleted and the world's Population is expanding.
Here we show the present status of Dunaliella (a Micro- alga) for Preparation and production of fine chemicals, such as ?- carotene, glycerol, vitamins and single cell protein.
On the basis of the related literature, the alga has up to 14% and about 50% to 60% of dry weight carotenoids and protein respectively.
Our country, currently, importes a large amounts of ?- carotece for using in margarine, vegetable shortening, food, pharmaceuticals and so on.
Dunaliella exists in fresh, brackish and hypersaline waters such as saltworks abjacent to the Urima lake, in the northwest of Iran. For the first time in 1989 through an exploration trip to the area the genus and its three species (D. salina, D. parva and D. viridis) were found in water of the saltworks. Thus, it is a New Record for Algal Flora of Iran.
The Presence of Dunaliella in Iran and the suitable climatic conditions for cultivation in the north- west of Iran, the Mass culture of Dunaliella for commercial uses is possible.
The Project will be, finally, leaded to establishing a pilot plant and production plant of the alga for the mass production of the mentioned chemicals, neighboring the lake.