Exploring the Effect of Production Conditions of <scp> <i>Chlorella minutissima</i> </scp> on Its Pharmaceutical Potential: A Natural Source for Bioactive Compounds

ABSTRACT In this study, Chlorella minutissima UTEX 234‐1 was produced under 12.43 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 (from the side surface, I1), 23.29 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 (from the top surface, I2), and 62.14 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 (from the top surface, I3) in BG‐11 medium (B1). The culture concentrations reached 80 ± 11, 397 ± 14, and 327 ± 13 mg L −1 , respectively. The cultures grew in BG‐11 + 10 g L −1 MgCl 2 (B2) and BG‐11 + 20 g L −1 MgCl 2 (B3) at 23.29 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 from the top surface. The culture yields were 240 ± 12 and 60 ± 10 mg L −1 , respectively. The highest amount of methanol extract 34.30 ± 2.50 mg was obtained from the culture grown under I2 and B1 conditions. The antioxidant capacities of the extracts were in the range of 91.31% ± 0.09%–90.45% ± 0.01%. The most proper conditions for biomass production and antioxidant compound accumulation were selected as 23.29 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 from the top surface in BG‐11 medium. The antioxidant activities of each sample showed that C. minutissima can be considered a potential candidate for cosmetic, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.