Influence of Inorganic Nutrients on Parameters of Biomass Production in a Local Strain of the Microalga Scenedesmus Acuminatus (original) (raw)

Biotechnologies based on microalgal cell cultures have multiple applications in aquaculture, the food industry, health care, environmental management, and production of alternative energy sources. In the present study we investigated the influence of nutritional conditions on bioproductive properties of a local strain of the green microalga Scenedesmus acuminatus, grown in axenic laboratory cultures, in Bold's basal nutrient medium. Increment of nitrate concentration enhanced the biomass production, and increased protein content of the alga. Simultaneous supplement of reduced and oxidized form of inorganic nitrogen (as ammonium nitrate) did not result in an increased dry biomass, but the protein content of algal cells was significantly higher, while the carotenoid content decreased. Nitrogen deprivation increased the carotenoid pigment content of the dry algal biomass. 10 mM KHCO3 as inorganic carbon source increased biomass production, decreased protein content and did not modi...