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Effects of pH on the growth rate, motility and photosynthesis inEuglena gracilis

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Abstract

The influence of pH 3–10 on the growth, motility and photosynthesis inEuglena gracilis was demonstrated during a 7-d cultivation. The cells did not survive at pH<4 and >8, highest growth rate being detected at pH 7. Motility followed a similar patterns as growth rate. Photosynthetic response curves were shown to be of the same type over the whole pH range. High respiration was characteristic for cells grown at pH 5 and 6, the lowest one at 7. At high and also at low pH more active respiration was found which can be considered as a protective response on proton stress. Respiration was not completely inhibited with potassium cyanide. Photosynthesis was the most effective at pH 6; lower and higher pH decreased photosynthetic efficiency. pH affected more the growth rate than the photosynthesis.

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  1. Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 871 88, Härnösand, Sweden

    R. A. Danilov & N. G. A. Ekelund

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  1. R. A. Danilov
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  2. N. G. A. Ekelund
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Correspondence to R. A. Danilov.

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Danilov, R.A., Ekelund, N.G.A. Effects of pH on the growth rate, motility and photosynthesis inEuglena gracilis . Folia Microbiol 46, 549–554 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02818001

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