''Haematococcus'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
algae
Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...
in the family
Haematococcaceae
Haematococcaceae is a family of green algae in the order Chlamydomonadales.
See also
* Algaculture
* Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a keto- carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxa ...
. Members of this group are a common cause of the pink color found in birdbaths.
One of the most notable species of ''Haematococcus'' is ''H. pluvialis'', which is used in cosmetic products due to its production of
astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a keto- carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. It is a lipid-soluble pigment with r ...
, a powerful antioxidant
carotenoid, under stress conditions.
File:Haematococcus pluvialis.jpg, Drawing of ''Haematococcus pluvialis
''Haematococcus pluvialis'' is a freshwater species of Chlorophyta from the family Haematococcaceae. This species is well known for its high content of the strong antioxidant astaxanthin, which is important in aquaculture, and cosmetics. The hig ...
''[Frank Shipley Collins. ''The Green Algae of North America'', Volume II of Tufts College Studies, Published by Tufts College, 1909, pp 79-480. From Plate II.]
File: Haematococcus pluvialis flagellate.jpg, Flagellate stage
File:Haematococcus pluvialis 3.jpg, When stressed, this green microalgae, ''Haematococcus pluvialis
''Haematococcus pluvialis'' is a freshwater species of Chlorophyta from the family Haematococcaceae. This species is well known for its high content of the strong antioxidant astaxanthin, which is important in aquaculture, and cosmetics. The hig ...
'', degrades chlorophylls and accumulates a strong red antioxidant, the carotenoid astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a keto- carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. It is a lipid-soluble pigment with r ...
References
Further reading
*
* Gutman, J., Zarka, A and Boussiba, S. 2009. The host-range of ''Paraphysoderma sedebokerensis'', a chytrid that infects ''Haematococcus pluvialis''. ''Eur. J. Phycol.'' 44: 509 - 514.
External links
Chlamydomonadales genera
Chlamydomonadales
{{Chlorophyceae-stub