Salicylic acid enhances cell growth, fatty acid and astaxanthin production in heterotrophic Chromochloris zofingiensis without reactive oxygen species elevation.

This study found that salicylic acid can serve as an effective regulator to promote the celling growth and accumulation of fatty acids and astaxanthin in heterotrophic C. zofingiensis without ROS elevation, which provides a promising approach for heterotrophic production of TFA and astaxanthin without growth inhibition.