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Cellular Stress Conditions as a Strategy to Increase Carbohydrate Productivity in Spirulina platensis

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Abstract

Spirulina platensis, when grown under stress, may alter its metabolic pathways, leading to carbohydrate accumulation. Research on the combined effects of stress factors such as UV radiation, photoperiod, and light, and the influence of micronutrients (Ca, Fe, and Mg) on microalgae carbohydrate composition is scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of combined cell stress factors on the microalgal growth and biochemical composition of S. platensis, to apply the biomass in the context of biorefineries. Assays were performed at two cultivation stages: in the first stage, Zarrouk medium (50%) was used until the end of the exponential growth phase (18 days) and, in the second stage, the cells obtained in the first stage were centrifuged and recultivated in 20% Zarrouk’s medium under physical (UV, photoperiod/light, NaCl) and nutritional stress (limitation of Ca, Fe, and Mg concentrations in 20% Zarrouk). The highest carbohydrate yields (27.84 mg L−1 day−1) were obtained in the photoperiod/light intensity-stressed cultures in the medium with nutrient limitation. The study outcomes showed the methods to increase carbohydrate synthesis in cultures under optimized conditions. Our results showed that nutrient limitation by 20% Zarrouk combined with higher light intensity (67.5 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and photoperiod (18-h/6-h light/dark cycles) is an efficient strategy to achieve higher intracellular concentrations (59.71%) and carbohydrate yields (55.85 mg L−1 day−1) in a discontinuous culture method.

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The authors are pleased to acknowledge the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for their financial support.

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  1. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Bioprocess, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Passo Fundo, Campus I, L1 Building, BR 285, Bairro São José, Zip Code 611, Passo Fundo, RS, CEP: 99052-900, Brazil

    Munise Zaparoli, Franciele Grando Ziemniczak, Leticia Mantovani & Luciane Maria Colla

  2. Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

    Munise Zaparoli & Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa

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  1. Munise Zaparoli
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Zaparoli, M., Ziemniczak, F.G., Mantovani, L. et al. Cellular Stress Conditions as a Strategy to Increase Carbohydrate Productivity in Spirulina platensis. Bioenerg. Res. 13, 1221–1234 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10133-8

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