Haematococcus pluvialis is a remarkable microalgae species with a fascinating life cycle. In nature, this algae undergoes several distinct growth phases:

 

Initially, it exists as a motile green microalgae with two flagella and protein-containing chloroplasts. As environmental conditions change, Haematococcus pluvialis undergoes morphological transformation and enters a non-motile state.

 

The cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis consists of two crucial stages:

1. Green Phase (Growth Phase): During this stage, optimal growth conditions are provided to facilitate mass proliferation

2. Red Phase: In this stage, environmental stress is introduced to stimulate astaxanthin production

 

Notably, Haematococcus pluvialis represents nature's richest source of astaxanthin. In the natural world, most animals (including shrimp) cannot synthesize astaxanthin independently and must acquire it through their diet. In fact, shrimp accumulate astaxanthin by consuming red algae containing this compound. This accumulation phenomenon is also observed in salmon and seabirds.

 

From a safety perspective, astaxanthin extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis is exceptionally safe, with no documented toxic side effects throughout its history of human use. In contrast, astaxanthin extracted from shrimp or crab shells not only poses allergy risks but also contains significantly lower concentrations, making it unsuitable for industrial-scale production.