Name: Video: Evaluating Chlorophyll Content in Chlorella sorokiniana and Haematococcus pluvialis to Study CO2, Light Color, and Intensity Effects
Uploaded: 2024-10-25T14:00:00
Description: 508 Views. Evaluating Chlorophyll Content in Chlorella sorokiniana and Haematococcus pluvialis to Study CO2, Light Color, and Intensity Effects

evaluating chlorophyll content in chlorella sorokiniana and haematococcus pluvialis to study co2, light color, and intensity effects

Enhancing Chlorophyll Production in Microalgae via Growth Factor Optimization

In recent years, the growing environmental problems caused by anthropogenic activities and their adverse effects on the health and balance of ecosystems have driven the search for more efficient and environmentally friendly production systems. This has accelerated processes in industries and fostered the implementation of bioremediation treatments and the development of bio compounds to mitigate these harmful effects1.
This context has led to a significant growth in the study of microalgae, driven by the need to find innovative solutions to current environmental and economic challenges. Microalgae thrive in aquatic environments, using sunlight and carbon dioxide as sources of energy and carbon, respectively. This characteristic makes them a sustainable and promising alternative for producing various valuable products. Research in this field has focused on understanding the physiology and metabolism of these cells, as well as developing efficient technologies for their cultivation and processing2.
There is a clear need to develop accessible and reliable tools for studying microalgae to accelerate research processes and deepen the understanding of their physiology, metabolism, and potential applications. These tools should enable rapid analysis of the effect of environmental and production factors on key parameters, such as chlorophyll concentration, which is a fundamental indicator of the health and development of these organisms. A decrease in chlorophyll content may indicate environmental stress, nutritional deficiencies, or diseases.
These green pigments play a crucial role in photosynthesis, capturing sunlight energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen and constitute between 0.5% and 5% of the biomass of microalgae3. Beyond their essential role in sustaining life processes, chlorophylls have found applications in various industries. Chlorophyll extracts are utilized in food and beverage processing as natural colorants, imparting vibrant green hues to products while also providing antioxidant properties. Moreover, chlorophyll-based supplements are gaining popularity in the health and wellness sector due to their purported detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects. By harnessing the multifaceted properties of chlorophyll, industries can develop innovative products that contribute to both visual appeal and consumer well-being1.
In this regard, one microalgae of great biotechnological relevance is C. sorokiniana. This microorganism stands out for its rapid growth rate, making it highly efficient in biomass production. Additionally, C. sorokiniana exhibits a diverse content of highly nutritional compounds, including proteins, lipids, and vitamins, which renders it valuable for various applications in food, feed, and biofuel production2. Moreover, this microalgae species has been found to produce extracellular enzymes with diverse functions, opening up possibilities for biotechnological applications such as wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and pharmaceuticals4. In addition to its rapid growth and versatile applications, C. sorokiniana also demonstrates significant potential for chlorophyll production. As a photosynthetic microorganism, C. sorokiniana possesses the machinery necessary for the synthesis of chlorophyll, which constitutes between 0.5% and 5% of the biomass of microalgae3. This capability makes C. sorokiniana an attractive candidate for commercial-scale chlorophyll production and promises to be a sustainable solution to urgent environmental and nutritional challenges5.
On the other hand, another microalgae species of significant interest is H. pluvialis. This microalga is renowned for its production of astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant pigment with numerous industrial applications. Astaxanthin serves as a protective mechanism for H. pluvialis photosystem, shielding it from oxidative stress induced by environmental factors. This pigment is highly sought after in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and aquaculture industries, owing to its antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. With its abundant ability to produce astaxanthin, H. pluvialis presents a promising avenue for developing innovative products catering to various industrial and consumer needs6.
Recent studies have also highlighted H. pluvialis1 potential for chlorophyll production, further enhancing its industrial significance. For instance, a study investigated the chlorophyll content of H. pluvialis under varying growth conditions and found that under optimal cultivation parameters, H. pluvialis exhibited remarkable chlorophyll production rates, surpassing those of other microalgae species7. This finding underscores the potential of H. pluvialis as a sustainable source of chlorophyll, offering novel opportunities for its utilization in various industrial sectors.

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Growth Factors for Production of Biotechnologically Relevant Secondary Metabolites

Evaluation of the Effect of Growth Factors on Chlorophylls a and b Production from Microalgae

Evaluating Chlorophyll Content in Chlorella sorokiniana and Haematococcus pluvialis to Study CO2, Light Color, and Intensity Effects

evaluating-chlorophyll-content-chlorella-sorokiniana-haematococcus

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

508 Views. Evaluating Chlorophyll Content in Chlorella sorokiniana and Haematococcus pluvialis to Study CO2, Light Color, and Intensity Effects

Video: Evaluating Chlorophyll Content in Chlorella sorokiniana and Haematococcus pluvialis to Study CO2, Light Color, and Intensity Effects

Microalgae contain two main groups of pigments: chlorophylls and carotenoids. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs light energy and transforms it into chemical energy to facilitate the synthesis of organic compounds. This pigment serves as a valuable primary source for biotechnological input products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to its high antioxidant properties and coloring capabilities. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of growth factors (CO2 concentration, light color, and light intensity) through a Taguchi L4 experimental design on cell growth and the cellular content of chlorophyll a and b in Chlorella sorokiniana, followed by validation of the method using Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae as an additional study model. Cell growth was quantified using the optical density spectrophotometric technique at a wavelength of 550 nm. For the quantification of chlorophylls, a cell extract was obtained using a 90% pure acetone solution, and subsequently, the concentrations of chlorophylls a and b were quantified using spectrophotometric techniques at wavelengths of 647 nm and 664 nm, according to the method described by Jeffrey and Humphrey. The experimental results indicated that controlling conditions of low CO2 addition, purple light, and low light intensity increases both cell growth and the concentration of chlorophylls a and b within the cells. The implementation of this chlorophyll quantification method allows for quick, simple, and precise determination of chlorophyll content, as the wavelengths used are at the absorbance peaks of both types of chlorophylls, making this technique easily reproducible for any microalgae under study.

The present study highlights the advantages of employing the method developed by Jeffrey and Humphrey for extracting and quantifying fat-soluble pigments from microalgae. This method serves as a valuable tool for assessing the influence of growth factors on chlorophyll production and cellular content in these organisms.

Microalgae contain two main groups of pigments: chlorophylls and carotenoids. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs light energy and transforms it ...