Summary
Four out of thirty-one algae strains belonging to the order Chlorococcales exhibited good growth on solid media containing n-alkanes. Chlorella vulgaris (397) was able to degrade n-tridecane in cooxidation. The corresponding secondary alcohols and ketones in C2-to C7-position could be identified in the culture broth. The same oxidation products could be found in the media of cultures grown in darkness with the addition of glucose. This demonstrates a subterminal degradation pathway of C. vulgaris.
There was no indication for a mono-or diterminal oxidation of alkanes by algae.
The fatty acid pattern of lipids exhibited an incease in long chain acids and a decrease in shorter chain acids. The growth rate of cells grown on alkanes increased after 72 h, but the release of autospores was retarded.
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