RESUMO
Microalgae can produce various natural products such as pigments, enzymes, unique fatty acids and vitamins that benefit humans. The objective of the study was evaluation of carotenoids [beta-carotene, zeathanthin, lutein, lycopene and astaxanthin] and chlorophyll a in spirulina microalgae. Spirulina powder has been produced by Jordan's method in Iran. Carotenoids were extracted from Spirulina platensis by adopting a method described by Reboul; then the sample was prepared and injected into a HPLC instrument with triplicate injection. Chlorophyll`s biomass content was determined by spectrophotometer. After assaying the curves of HPLC, the amount of chlorophyll a, astaxanthin, beta carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin and lutein in spirulina was determined as 4.3 +/- 0.14, 0.21 +/- 0.02, 7393 +/- 2.76, 741 +/- 2.32, 665[+2]/-3.69 and 424 +/- 2.83 microg/ml respectively [p<0.05]