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

Summary

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.

Abstract

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.

Introduction

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 e....

Protocol

1. Culture media preparation and inoculum preparation

1. Prepare 1 L of 3N-BBM+ V(CCAP) growth medium (Macronutrients: NaNO₃ [0.75 g L^-1], CaCl₂ [0.019 g L^-1], MgSO₄ [0.019 g L^-1], K₂HPO₄ [0.057 g L^-1], NaCl [0.025 g L^-1], KH₂PO₄ [0.175 g L^-1]; micronutrients: Na₂ EDTA [0.0186 g L^-1], FeCl₃ [0.0024 g L^-1], MnCl<.......

Discussion

The comparative study between H. pluvialis and C. sorokiniana revealed significant differences in chlorophyll production dynamics. While H. pluvialis exhibited a decrease in chlorophyll concentration throughout the experiment, C. sorokiniana showed a steady increase. Additionally, there was initially a lower proportion of chlorophyll a in both species, but this ratio reversed in particular growth conditions, which may give indications of an induction of the production of said .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
C3H6O	Meyer	67-64-1	Acetone 90%
15 mL tube	Biologix	10-9502	Test tube
2510-DTH	Branson	D-73595	Sonicator
5 mL screw cap test tube	Kimax	45066-13100	Test tube
50 mL centrifuge tube	Biologix	10-9151	Test tube
Aluminum foil	Reynolds	611 standard, 12" x 1000 feet	Test tube cover
CaCl2	Meyer	0925-250	Calcium Chloride
Centrifuge	Dynamica	14 R	Centrifuge Refrigerated
CoCl2	Merck	1057-100	Cobalt dichloride
FeCl3	Merck	157740	Iron(III) Chloride
K2HPO4	Meyer	2051-250	Dipotassium Phosphate
KH2PO4	Meyer	2055-250	Monopotassium Phosphate
MgSO4	Meyer	1605-250	Magnesium Sulphate
Micropipette	LabNet	Model Beta-Pette	Micropipette
MnCl2	Merck	429449	Manganese(II) Chloride
Na2 EDTA	Merck	200-449-4	Edatamil, Edetato Disodium Salt Dihydrate
Na2MoO4	Merck	243655	Sodium Molybdate
NaCl	Meyer	2365-500	Sodium Chloride
NaNO3	Meyer	2465-250	Sodium Nitrate
RGB LED stripe	Steren	GAD-LED2	Light source
Spectrophotometer	PerkinElmer	Model Lambda35	Spectrophotometer
spectroradiometer	Gigahertz-Optik	model BTS256
Vortex	Scientific Industries	Vortex-Genie® 2	Vortex
ZnCl2	Merck	208086	Zinc Chloride