Growth of Haematococcus pluvialis was monitored in autotrophic [Bold Basal (BBM), Z8, A9], heterotrophic [Kobayashi et al., KM1] and mixotrophic [Bold Basal with sodium acetate, MM1; Bold Basal with sodium acetate and L-asparagine, MM2; KM1 without yeast extract, KM2] culture media. Among autotrophic media, BBM was best (1.5 x 10(5) cells ml(-1)) for growth. Cell counts of 3.0 x 10(5), 3.25 x 10(5) and 4.2 x 10(5) cells ml(-1) were obtained in KM1, MM2 and KM2 media, respectively. The carotenoid content in Haematococcus grown in KM1 medium was 181 +/- 4.0 pg cell(-1) with 88.67% astaxanthin. However, cells grown on agar containing KM1 medium accumulated 2.5 times more carotenoids. Addition of trace elements and B vitamins to MM1, MM2 and KM2 media gave increases in astaxanthin content by 1.5-, 1.35- and 2.02;fold. KM2 medium with added trace elements and B vitamins was the best for astaxanthin production with a yield of 2.2% (w/w).