Photoprotection comes at a cost: non-photochemical quenching shapes growthproductivity trade-offs in Haematococcus lacustris
Stefano Cazzaniga, Francesco Bellamoli, Edoardo Ceschi, Laura Girolomoni, Nico Olivieri, Mattia Magagnotti, Matteo Paloschi, Marzia Rossato, Massimo Delledonne, Matteo Ballottari
This study shows that enhanced non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in Haematococcus lacustris improves high-light tolerance under carbon limitation but reduces growth and astaxanthin productivity under high CO2 conditions.
bioRxiv · Aug 25, 2026 · PreprintPlant Biology