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Effects of nitrogen on growth and carbohydrate formation in Porphyridium cruentum

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Biology

Abstract

The microalga Porphyridium cruentum (Rhodophyta) has several industrial and pharmaceutical uses, especially for its polysaccharide production. This study aimed to investigate the influence of nitrogen levels as reflected by altered N:P ratios on the production and content of biomass and carbohydrate. N:P molar ratios were altered in batch cultures to range from 1.6 to 50 using the Redfield ratio of 1:16 as reference. Algal growth (estimated as final cell number, biomass concentration and maximum specific growth rate) was negatively affected at low N:P ratios. The optimal N:P ratio for growth was identified at 35–50, with specific growth rates of 0.19 day−1 and maximum cell concentrations of 59·108 cells L−1 and 1.2 g dry weight of biomass L−1. In addition, variation in cell size was seen. Cells with larger diameters were at higher N:P ratios and smaller cells at lower ratios. The cellular carbohydrate content increased under reduced nitrogen availability. However, because accumulation was moderate at the lowest N:P ratio, 0.4 g per g dry weight biomass compared to 0.24 at the Redfield ratio of 16:1, conditions for increased total carbohydrate formation were identified at the N:P ratios optimal for growth. Additionally, carbohydrates were largely accumulated in late exponential to stationary phase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Ali Razaghi & Anna Godhe

  2. Chemical and Biological Engineering — Industrial Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Eva Albers

Authors
  1. Ali Razaghi
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  2. Anna Godhe
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  3. Eva Albers
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Correspondence to Eva Albers.

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Razaghi, A., Godhe, A. & Albers, E. Effects of nitrogen on growth and carbohydrate formation in Porphyridium cruentum . cent.eur.j.biol. 9, 156–162 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-013-0248-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-013-0248-z

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