Enhancement of Metabolite Production in High-Altitude Microalgal Strains by Optimized C/N/P Ratio

Abstract

This study evaluated the role of C/N/P in the increase in the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in two high-mountain strains of algae (Chlorella sp. UFPS019 and Desmodesmus sp. UFPS021). Three carbon sources (sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate), and the sources of nitrogen (NaNO3) and phosphate (KH2PO4 and K2HPO4) were analyzed using a surface response (3 factors, 2 levels). In Chlorella sp. UFPS019, the optimal conditions to enhance the synthesis of carbohydrates were high sodium carbonate content (3.53 g/L), high KH2PO4 and K2HPO4 content (0.06 and 0.14 g/L, respectively), and medium-high NaNO3 (0.1875 g/L). In the case of lipids, a high concentration of sodium acetate (1.19 g/L) coupled with high KH2PO4 and K2HPO4 content (0.056 and 0.131 g/L, respectively) and a low concentration of NaNO3 (0.075 g/L) drastically induced the synthesis of lipids. In the case of Desmodesmus sp. UFPS021, the protein content was increased using high sodium acetate (2 g/L), high KH2PO4 and K2HPO4 content (0.056 and 0.131 g/L, respectively), and high NaNO3 concentration (0.25 g/L). These results demonstrate that the correct adjustment of the C/N/P ratio can enhance the capacity of high-mountain strains of algae to produce high concentrations of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Organic Culture Media for Sustainable Carotenoid Production from Microalgae

“…It is suggested that different PSY genes family is responsible for microalgae development and cell defense under environmental stress [3,16]. Also, the composition and combination of nutrient content in the medium (C:N:P ratio) can affect the content of carotenoids in microalgae [17].…”

Marine-Bioinspired Nanoparticles as Potential Drugs for Multiple Biological Roles

“…The production of marine-based nanoparticles from a variety of sources, including bacteria, fungus, seaweeds, and marine plants, has received considerable attention [ 33 ]. Algae with high cell growth rates, high stress tolerance, and an abundance of physiologically active substances, such as Ulva lactuca , Spirulina platensis , and Sargassum muticum , are regarded as promising biocatalysts for the synthesis of various types of nanomaterials [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Among pure algal compounds, phloroglucinol, eckol, phlorofucofuroeckol A, fucodiphlorethol G, 7-phloroeckol, 6,6′-bieckol, and dieckol act as effective reducing agents in the nanoparticle synthesis process [ 43 ].…”