Relationship between β-Carotene Accumulation and Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate Synthase in Different Species of Dunaliella

To study the relationship between β-carotene synthesis and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS) activity, 15 species of Dunaliella were used to determine the changes in photosynthetic pigment contents, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, β-carotene content, and GGPS activity. By observing the morphology and size of 15 species of Dunaliella, D8 has the largest individual algal cell and D9 has the smallest individual. Growth was relatively slow during days one through seven. After about eight days, the cells entered the logarithmic growth period and grew rapidly to a high density. After about 45 days, they entered a mature period, and growth slowed down. The contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and β-carotene increased during growth. D1 has the highest accumulation of β-carotene, and GGPS enzyme activity has a positive linear relationship with the β-carotene synthesis content. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the GGPS proteins of the 15 species were highly homologous, and the GGPS protein was not part of the membrane.