Dunaliella is abiflagellate unicellular green alga. Cells are round-shaped and found inbrackish environments; it is a motile species and has a high tolerance for salt, temperature, and light. Motion of cells is important since it facilitates nutrient transport, especially in poor-nutrient waters. Dunaliella species are relatively easy to culture. The cell divides by simple binary fission, and no evidence of cell lysis, encystment, or spore formation is observed (Segovia et al., 2003).

Dunaliella thrives over a wide pH range and expresses a capacity for extremely efficient DIC accumulation, incorporating a capacity to use HCO — in addition to CO2 (Aizawa and Miyachi, 1986; Young et al., 2001). Kishimoto et al. (1994) cultivated a Dunaliella strain for pigment pro­duction with 3% of CO2 and achieved a carbon uptake of 313 mg L-1 day-1. Sydney et al. (2011) cultivated a D. tertiolecta strain and achieved a CO2 fixation rate of 272 mg L-1 day-1.

Dunaliella is an important microalgae for industrial processes since it produces a wide variety of commercial products (mainly pigments) and the rupture of the cells is very easy. p-carotene large-scale production facilities are in operation around the world (Hawaii, United States, Australia, Japan).