Nutrients are the deciding factors in the biological production of bioactive compounds. Various growth media like BG11, Zarrouk's and Chu's 10 were studied for carotenoid production in Synechocystis sp. CCNM 2501. Maximum carotenoid content (dry weight basis) was found in Zarrouk's medium (ZM, 7.99 mg g(-1)) followed by BG11 (5.13 mg g(-1)). Echinenone content was 4 times higher in ZM (3.81 mg g(-1)) as compared to BG11 (0.95 mg g(-1)) and Chu's 10 (0.77 mg g(-1)). Being an economical medium, BG11 was selected for carotenoid production. Further, increase in salinity from 0 to 0.2 Min BG11 medium increases total carotenoid content from 5.82 to 7.05 mg g(-1) and later it declines to 6.23 mg g(-1) (1 M). 3 times more beta-carotene is produced at 1 M salinity as compared to control BG11. The variation in carotenoid composition with change in nutrients/salinity can be a good strategy to enhance certain targeted carotenoids. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.