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Phylogenetic characterization and morphological and physiological aspects of a novel acidotolerant and halotolerant microalga Coccomyxa onubensis sp. nov. (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae)

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An Erratum to this article was published on 12 August 2016

Abstract

The genus Coccomyxa comprises green microalgae, which can be found worldwide in remarkably versatile aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems including symbiotic associations with a number of different hosts. In this study, we describe a new species, Coccomyxa onubensis, based on 18S and ITS ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data. Coccomyxa onubensis was isolated from acidic water, and its ability to adapt to a wide range of acidic and alkaline pH values and to high salinity was analyzed. The long-term adaptation capacity of the microalga to such extreme conditions was evaluated by performing continuous repeated batches at selected salt concentrations and pH values. Adapted cultures of C. onubensis were found to yield high biomass productivities from pH 2.5 to 9, with maximum yields at acidic pH between 2.5 and 4.5. Moreover, C. onubensis was also found to adapt to salinities as high as 0.5 M NaCl, reaching biomass productivities that were similar to those of control cultures. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy of C. onubensis cells adapted to high salinity showed a robust response to hyperosmotic shock. Thus, C. onubensis was found to be acidotolerant and halotolerant. High biomass productivity over a wide range of pH and salinities denotes C. onubensis as an interesting candidate for various biotechnological applications including outdoor biomass production.

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to acknowledge the support from Junta de Andalucía (Grant no. AGR-4337) and CEIMAR (PhD Grant for Juan Luis Fuentes) and the technical support from Enrique Chaguaceda, María J. Vílchez, Gloria Blanco (Central Services, CIDERTA), and BioAvan SL. This is contribution No. 131 from the CEIMAR Journal Series.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Algal Biotechnology Group, CIDERTA and Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva and Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), 21007, Huelva, Spain

    Juan L. Fuentes, Zaida Montero, María Cuaresma, Inés Garbayo & Carlos Vílchez

  2. Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany

    Volker A. R. Huss

  3. Department of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, 21007, Huelva, Spain

    Rafael Torronteras

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  1. Juan L. Fuentes
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  2. Volker A. R. Huss
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  3. Zaida Montero
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  4. Rafael Torronteras
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  7. Carlos Vílchez
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Correspondence to Carlos Vílchez.

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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0922-4.

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Fuentes, J.L., Huss, V.A.R., Montero, Z. et al. Phylogenetic characterization and morphological and physiological aspects of a novel acidotolerant and halotolerant microalga Coccomyxa onubensis sp. nov. (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae). J Appl Phycol 28, 3269–3279 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0887-3

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