When grown under favorable nutritional conditions, as when ample nitrogen is available, a Dunaliella culture is bright green, with the green pigment chlorophyll providing the protective screen.
Heades toitumistingimustes kasvades – näiteks kui lämmastikku on külluslikult – on Dunaliella kultuur ereroheline, kusjuures rohelisest pigmendist klorofüllist moodustub kaitsev kiht.