Artículo de publicación ISIThe effect of ionic strength on the production of short chain volatile hydrocarbons was studied in cultures of Dunaliella salina. Axenic cultures of D. salina were grown at three different ionic strengths 0.5, 2 and 3 M of NaCl in Johnson (J/1) culture medium [Journal of Bacteriology 95 (1968) 1461] under the following laboratory growth conditions: a 12:12 h photoperiod, 300 lmolm 2 s 1 of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) provided by a fluorescent lamp of 40 W combined with a 100 W incandescent lamp at 20 ± 1 C at pH 7.5. C1 to C5 hydrocarbons were detected using a head space technique and GC-FID. Cell numbers and growth rate was greatest at 2 M NaCl 4.3 · 106 cell ml 1 after a 15 days period of culture. Maximum hydrocarbon production was measured in the concentration of 0.5 NaCl with lower production rates in the more concentrated solutions. The principal hydrocarbon was pentane at 0.5 M but was ethane in 2 and 3 M solutions. Production rates for individual compounds ranged between 0.13 and 22 · 10 15 lgCcell 1 h 1. It is suggested that the ability to produce and release volatile organic compounds of D. salina is related to osmotic conditions established by the ionic strength of growth solution.