Simultaneous effect of irradiance and temperature on biochemical composition of the microalga Pavlova lutheri

Abstract

The biochemical composition of microalgae can be modulated through the environmental conditions prevailing during growth. The simultaneous effects of irradiance and temperature on the biochemical composition of Pavlova lutheri were evaluated using an experimental star factorial design. Five levels were tested for each parameter (temperature, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26°C; irradiance, 60, 105, 150, 195 and 240 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ), whereas the carbohydrate, protein, lipid, pigments and elementary compound contents were measured as response variables. Additionally, in order to rapidly measure parameters to define the status of the culture, the validation of the relationships between biochemical parameters and physiological status were estimated through regression analysis. It was observed that irradiance and temperature play a major role in the determination of the biochemical composition of microalgae. Their effects are synergistic, and it can be observed that a trend in behaviour at a certain temperature can be reversed at a different temperature; therefore, when selecting the environmental conditions to a culture they must be studied in a combined fashion. Although there are consistent relationships between pigment contents and elementary compounds in cells, its linearity is influenced by the irradiance of the culture and its age; therefore, they can only be applied in specific circumstances. On the other side, population biomass was well estimated in terms of carotenoid content, irrespective of the environmental conditions provided and the growth phase.

Increasing the Protein Amount of Chlorella vulgaris [Chlorphyta] Strains Isolated from Different Fresh Water Ponds

“…The biochemical compositions of algae (such as protein, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid and pigments composition) change with respect to temperature, light, nutrient media components, strain characteristics and growth phase. The microalgae can grow under different temperatures and the temperature affects the structure of cell compounds, the chemical reactions, enzymatic activity, membrane liquidity, the efficiency of electron transfer chain and other metabolic mechanisms [28]. The temperature in culture media in the present study was determined to be between 22-25 °C and C. vulgaris cultures showed good development under that temperature.…”

Microalgae as a Feedstock for Biofuel Precursors and Value-Added Products: Green Fuels and Golden Opportunities

“…In contrast, Carvalho et al (2009) reported absence of strong relation between light intensity and carbohydrate or starch accumulation, suggesting either carbon limitation or elimination of other carbon sinks such as protein synthesis or cell division.…”

Crecimiento y composición bioquímica de <i>Thalassiosira pseudonana</i> (Thalassiosirales: Thalassiosiraceae) bajo cultivo semi-continuo en diferentes medios y niveles de irradiancias

“…La disminución en el contenido de clorofila a como consecuencia del incremento en el nivel de irradiancia sobre cultivos microalgales se ha descrito previamente (Miskiewicz et al 2002, Carvalho et al 2009), esto coincide con los resultados evidenciados en esta investigación. Masuda et al (2003) indicaron que bajas irradiancias, inducen en las células el incremento de pigmentos fotosintéticos tales como clorofila a a fin de aumentar su capacidad para captación de luz (Mock & Kroon 2002) y optimizar la eficiencia del fotosistema dos (PSII) (Janknegt et al 2008).…”