Dunaliella is a genus of the algae family Dunaliellaceae.Dunaliella sp. are motile, unicellular, rod to ovoid shaped (9−11 µm) green algae (Chlorophyceae), which are common in marine waters. The organisms are relatively simple to cultivate and do not clump or form chains.
The best-known species is the extremely salt tolerant Dunaliella salina Teodor. A new species of Dunaliella was discovered in the Atacama Desert in 2010. It is believed that the algae is sustained by the condensation of water vapor on hanging spider-webs.
Dunaliella tertiolecta is a marine green flagellate with a cell size of 10−12 µm. This strain is reported to have oil yield of about 37% (organic basis). D. tertiolecta is a fast-growing strain and that means it has a high CO2 sequestration rate as well.