富油能源微藻的筛选及产油性能评价

为了筛选具有产油潜力的能源微藻,以实验室保藏的20株淡水和海洋微藻(绿藻门18株,真眼点藻纲1株,硅藻纲1株)为研究对象,利用光径为3 cm柱状光生物反应器通气分批培养,通过测定微藻培养物的生物量和总脂含量等指标,从中筛选生长速度快、生物量和总脂含量高的微藻。结果表明:20株微藻的生物量和总脂含量分别在1.81~7.88g/L和16.0%~55.9% dw(% Dry weight)之间,筛选得到具有产油潜力的微藻9株,分别是栅藻(Scenedesmus sp.)(6.34g/L,55.9% dw)、麻织绿球藻(Chlorococcum tatrense)(5.93g/L,46.9% dw)、眼点拟微绿球藻(Nannochloropsis oculata)(7.88g/L,35.0% dw)、油面绿球藻(Chlorococcum oleofaciens)(5.58g/L,45.9% dw)、多形拟绿球藻(Pseudochlorococcum polymorphum)(6.10g/L,40.0% dw)、八月衣藻(Chlamydomonas augustae)(5.78g/L,40.5% dw)、椭圆小球藻(Chlorella ellipsoidea)(5.56g/L,40.7%dw)、椭圆绿球藻(Chlorococcum ellipsoideum)(5.41g/L,38.0% dw)、雪绿球藻(Chlorococcum nivale)(5.55g/L,36.3% dw),其中最具产业化潜力的微藻为栅藻(Scenedesmus sp.),其总脂收获量和单位体积总脂产率分别为3.5 g/L和218.7mg/L·d。     

五种淡水微藻的适宜培养温度和光照强度

从淡水中分离得到绿球藻(Chlorococcum sp.)SHOU-F3、纤维藻(Ankistrodesmus sp.)SHOU-F33、小球藻(Chlorella sp.)SHOU-F46、空星藻(Coelastrum sphaericum)SHOU-F10和栅藻(Scenedesmus sp.)SHOU-FX,分别在光照培养箱中研究了温度、光照强度对5种微藻增殖的影响,并分析了5种微藻的细胞组成。结果表明:绿球藻SHOU-F3、纤维藻SHOU-F33、小球藻SHOU-F46、空星藻SHOU-F10和栅藻SHOU-FX的最适生长温度分别为29.8、23.5、31.4、34.4和24.7℃;最适光照强度分别为16、119、42、82和106μmol·m-2·s-1;在适宜培养条件下,绿球藻SHOU-F3的色素、蛋白以及总糖的百分含量最高,纤维藻SHOU-F33的脂肪百分含量最高。     

蛋白核小球藻高效同化硝态氮联产微藻蛋白

本研究旨在建立利用微藻去除高浓度废水中硝酸根并转化为藻蛋白的创新技术。先在摇瓶中研究了培养模式和光照模式对于混养蛋白核小球藻的生物量产量、硝酸根同化速率和藻蛋白产量的影响,随后在5 L光发酵罐中成功进行了放大验证。结果表明,在摇瓶培养中,不回流培养基的补料分批培养是最佳培养模式,可获得最高生物量产量为35.95 g/L,硝酸根平均同化速率为2.06 g/(L·d),藻蛋白含量可高达42.44%干重;采用阶梯式增加光强的光照模式,能显著提高细胞比生长速率,最高达到0.65 d–1。在5 L光发酵罐中连续培养128 h,最高生物量产量和硝酸根平均同化速率分别达到66.22 g/L和4.38 g/(L·d),最高藻蛋白含量可达干重的47.13%。本研究能为高效处理工业废硝酸或高浓度硝酸盐废水提供微藻光发酵技术,基于微藻的生物转化过程可联产高蛋白微藻生物质,有利于实现这类废水资源化利用、变废为宝。     

白色LED复合光谱对4种淡水微藻的影响

利用光效高、耗能小的LED光谱作为光源培养微藻能够降低微藻培养的成本,促进微藻培养实现工业化。比较了6种已市场化的,具有不同光强、不同光谱组成的白色LED复合光谱(1号,光强2 162 lx;2号,光强2 227lx;3号,光强2 794 lx;4号,光强4 587 lx;5号,光强5 356 lx;6号,光强6 244 lx)对4种淡水微藻生长情况和叶绿素含量的影响。结果发现:四尾栅藻在5号光源下,有最大生物质质量浓度和比生长速率,分别为2.89 g/L和0.32g/(L·d)(以细胞干质量计);钝顶螺旋藻在4号光源下,有最大生物质质量浓度和比生长速率,分别为5.05 g/L和0.33 g/(L·d);布朗葡萄藻在6号光源下,有最大生物质质量浓度和比生长速率,分别为1.22 g/L和0.25g/(L·d);而集胞藻在光强较小的光源下生长较好,当光强为2 162 lx时,生物质质量浓度和比生长速率分别为3.05 g/L和0.22 g/(L·d)。在光强较低的情况下,光质的红蓝比对四尾栅藻和布朗葡萄藻的生长没有显著影响(p0.05);与蓝光相比,红光更利于集胞藻和钝顶螺旋藻的生长,分别在红蓝比(R/B)为11.7的1号光源和4号光源下有最大藻细胞密度3.05和5.05 g/L。四尾栅藻、钝顶螺旋藻和布朗葡萄藻的单位水体内叶绿素含量与比生长速率成正比,而单位质量干藻细胞内的叶绿素含量随光强的增大而有所降低。     

菌藻共生提高小球藻生物量和产油率

微藻规模化养殖常伴随着细菌的影响,存在于微藻藻际的细菌对微藻生长的影响及藻菌共生的机理尚缺乏深入研究。为建立有益的菌藻共生体系和提高微藻生物质产量,以埃氏小球藻(Chlorella emersonii)为试材,分离藻际微环境的菌群,并运用16S rDNA测序进行鉴定。通过藻菌(1∶1)共培养筛选优势促生菌。人工构建不同比例的菌藻共培养体系,分析优势促生菌对微藻生长和生物质产量的影响。结果显示,从埃氏小球藻藻株SXND-25藻际分离到6个菌种,属于菠萝泛菌属(Pantoea)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、鹑鸡肠球菌属(Enterococcus gallinarum)和大肠杆菌属(Escherichia coli)四个菌属。其中假单胞菌(Pseudomonas)和菠萝泛菌(Pantoea)为优势促生菌。与其他不同比例菌藻共培养相比,埃氏小球藻与菠萝泛菌1∶5共培养的促生效果突出,埃氏小球藻在第8天生物量达5.86 g/L,藻细胞含油量为26.88%,总油脂产量为1.575 g/L且单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)高达554-564mg/L。另一优异组合为埃氏小球藻与假单胞菌1∶1共培养,埃氏小球藻第8天生物量为4.12 g/L,藻细胞含油量达29.50%,总油脂产量提高到1.215 g/L,但MUFA含量低(168-175 mg/L)。研究表明在埃氏小球藻培养过程中,适量添加促生菌,可同时提高埃氏小球藻生物质和油脂产量,这为探究藻菌互作效应以及有益藻菌共生体系应用于微藻规模化生产提供参考依据。     

三种微藻对城市二级出水脱氮除磷作用的研究

利用污水培养微藻可去除废水中的氮、磷污染物, 又可以实现生物质生产的耦合。以城市二级出水做为培养基, 选取了小球藻(Chlorella sp.)、栅藻( Scenedesmus sp.)、螺旋藻(Spirulina sp.)为实验藻种, 考察3种微藻的生长特性和脱氮除磷的能力。结果表明, 所选的藻种在模拟二级出水中都能较好生长, 其中栅藻的生物量高于小球藻和螺旋藻, 最大生物量分别为0.328 g·L-1、0.264 g·L-1、0.192 g·L-1, 比生长速率为0.226 d-1、0.213 d-1、0.197 d-1。栅藻的油脂产量达97.35 mg·L-1, 高于其他两种微藻。3种微藻对模拟二级出水都具有较好的脱氮除磷效能, TP的去除率达到90%以上, TN的去除率达到80%以上。实验结果表明利用3种微藻均可达到对二级出水的深度脱氮除磷和生物质的富集。     

虾池常见微藻的光照强度、温度和盐度适应性

通过Smith生态位宽度指数和Pianka生态位重叠指数分析了虾池常见微藻种群(啮蚀隐藻、新月菱形藻、微绿球藻和蛋白核小球藻)在光照强度、温度和盐度资源上的生态位宽度和生态位重叠特征.结果表明:新月菱形藻和蛋白核小球藻具有较大的生态位宽度值,啮蚀隐藻和微绿球藻的生态位宽度值则相对较小.蛋白核小球藻和微绿球藻在光照强度、温度和盐度资源上的生态位重叠值均为最大,啮蚀隐藻在各资源与其他微藻的重叠值最小.新月菱形藻与蛋白核小球藻适应光照强度的范围较广.当水温达16.9℃,可定向培育新月菱形藻;当水温达25℃,可定向培育新月菱形藻和啮蚀隐藻;当水温达30℃时,可定向培育新月菱形藻、蛋白核小球藻和微绿球藻.养殖水体盐度处于9～26,可引入蛋白核小球藻与微绿球藻;处于9～17.5,应引入啮蚀隐藻;高盐水体,应引入新月菱形藻.蛋白核小球藻和微绿球藻在光照强度、温度和盐度资源上的生态位重叠值均为最大,因此微藻定向培育,不可同时引入蛋白核小球藻与微绿球藻.     

葡萄糖对小球藻(Chloralla sp. HN08)光合作用和生长的影响

【目的】探讨葡萄糖作为外加碳源对热带海洋小球藻(Chloralla sp.HN08)生物质生产和脂、光合色素、碳水化合物及可溶性蛋白等细胞主要成份含量的影响。【方法】分析比较小球藻HN08在光合自养和兼养(添加10 g/L葡萄糖)2种营养方式下的生长速率、细胞密度、光合放氧速率、油脂相对含量,以及可溶性总糖、淀粉和可溶性蛋白的含量。【结果】结果表明,在光照条件下葡萄糖(10 g/L)能促进小球藻(Chloralla sp.HN08)生长,提高细胞终密度,而异养条件下藻细胞逐渐衰亡。兼养条件下,细胞相对生长速率及细胞终密度分别是自养条件下的6.8倍和1.3倍。兼养藻细胞中可溶性糖、淀粉、油脂含量显著高于(P0.05)光合自养细胞,然而可溶性蛋白质和光合色素含量显著低于(P0.05)光合自养细胞。添加葡萄糖的小球藻液的光饱和点和呼吸速率均高于光自养条件下的细胞,但2种培养条件下藻液的净光合速率无显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】光照条件下,添加葡萄糖可显著提高小球藻HN08相对生长速率和细胞终密度,促进油脂与淀粉的积累。     

南美白对虾精养塘浮游微藻动态研究

2006年4月30日～2006年8月31日,对舟山市马岙镇的旭旺无公害对虾精养基地水体的浮游微藻群落结构进行调查分析.结果表明:精养塘中共检出常见浮游微藻5门16种,其中蓝藻4种,绿藻5种,硅藻5种,裸藻1种,甲藻1种.主要蓝藻有微小平裂藻(Merismopedia tenuissima.)、小席藻(Phorimidium sp.)、螺旋藻(Spirulina sp.)等;常见绿藻有小球藻(Chlorella sp.)、衣藻(Chlamydomonas sp.)等;常见硅藻有舟形藻(Navicula sp.)、尖针杆藻(Synedra acus)等.养殖早期3门9种,蓝藻门与裸藻门的微藻未检查到,且浮游微藻细胞数量为0.8×10⁷cells·L^-1,香浓多样性指数平均为0.445.养殖后期4门12种,多甲藻未出现了,浮游微藻细胞数量为1.5×10⁷ cells·L^-1,香浓多样性指数平均为0.375.浮游藻类多样性指数总体表现为养殖前期高后期低的特征.     

三种微藻细胞破碎方法的比较

目的:获得最佳的微藻藻胆蛋白提取方法.方法:采用溶胀法、反复冻融法、低浓度氯化钙溶液提取法和玻璃珠处理法等四种方法分别对紫球藻、蔷薇藻和念珠藻三种藻细胞进行破碎,通过测定藻红蛋白的纯度和浓度对四种细胞破碎方法效果进行比较.结果:当细胞密度为1.00g/L时,采用反复冻融法处理紫球藻和蔷薇藻时能够获得最高的藻红蛋白纯度(OD545/OD280),分别为1.250和1.669,藻红蛋白的浓度分别为29.788,mg/L和36.026mg/L,细胞密度对藻红蛋白纯度影响较小;低浓度氯化钙溶液提取法能使念珠藻藻红蛋白的纯度(OD545/OD280)达到0.477.结论:紫球藻和蔷薇藻经反复冻融法破碎细胞,藻红蛋白纯度高,提取效果好;而对念珠藻藻红蛋白提纯采用低浓度氯化钙溶液提取法效果好.     

Biomass and oil content of Chlorella sp., Haematococcus sp., Nannochloris sp. and Scenedesmus sp. under mixotrophic growth conditions in the presence of technical glycerol

The growth of algae strains Chlorella sp., Haematococcus sp., Nannochloris sp. and Scenedesmus sp. under mixotrophic conditions in the presence of different concentrations of technical glycerol was investigated with the aim of increasing biomass growth and algae oil content. The highest concentration of lipid obtained in media with 5 g L^?1 glycerol for Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Nannochloris sp. and Haematococcus sp. was 17.77, 22.34, 27.55 and 34.22 % larger than during the autotrophic growth of these species. Increases in triacylglycerols of up to ten times was observed for Scenedesmus sp. under mixotrophic conditions (using 10 g L^?1 glycerol), whereas an increase of 2.28 times was found for Haematococcus sp. The content of saturated fatty acids of Scenedesmus, Chlorella, Haematococcus and Nannochloris was 67.11, 34.63, 23.39 and 24.23 %, and the amount of unsaturated fatty acids was 32.9, 65.06, 79.61 and 75.78 % of total fatty acids, respectively. Growth on technical glycerol of these strains with light produced higher biomass concentrations and lipid content compared with autotrophic growth. The fatty acid content of oils from these species suggests their potential use as biodiesel feedstock.     

Nutritional Evaluation of Australian Microalgae as Potential Human Health Supplements

This study investigated the biochemical suitability of Australian native microalgal species Scenedesmus sp., Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella sp., and a chlorophytic polyculture as nutritional supplements for human health. The four microalgal cultures were harvested during exponential growth, lyophilized, and analysed for proximate composition (moisture, ash, lipid, carbohydrates, and protein), pigments, and amino acid and fatty acid profiles. The resulting nutritional value, based on biochemical composition, was compared to commercial Spirulina and Chlorella products. The Australian native microalgae exhibited similar, and in several cases superior, organic nutritional properties relative to the assessed commercial products, with biochemical profiles rich in high-quality protein, nutritious polyunsaturated fats (such as α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid), and antioxidant pigments. These findings indicate that the microalgae assessed have great potential as multi-nutrient human health supplements.     

Lipid productivity and fatty acid composition in Chlorella and Scenepdesmus strains grown in nitrogen-stressed conditions

Thirty Chlorella and 30 Scenedesmus strains grown in nitrogen-stressed conditions (70 mg L^?1 N) were analyzed for biomass accumulation, lipid productivity, protein, and fatty acid (FA) composition. Scenedesmus strains produced more biomass (4.02?±?0.73 g L^?1) after 14 days in culture compared to Chlorella strains (2.57?±?0.12 g L^?1). Protein content decreased and lipid content increased from days 8 to 14 with an increase in triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in most strains. By day 14, Scenedesmus strains generally had higher lipid productivity (53.5?±?3.7 mg lipid L^?1 day^?1) than Chlorella strains (35.1?±?2.8 mg lipid L^?1 day^?1) with the lipids consisting mainly of C16–18 TAGs. Scenedesmus strains generally had a more suitable FA profile with higher amounts of saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and a smaller polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) component. Chlorella strains had a larger PUFA component and smaller MUFA component. The general trend in the FA composition of Chlorella strains was oleic > palmitic > α-linolenic = linoleic > eicosenoic > heptadecenoic > stearic acid. For Scenedesmus strains, the general trend was oleic > palmitic > linoleic > α-linolenic > stearic > eicosenoic > palmitoleic > heptadecenoic acid. The most promising strains with the highest lipid productivity and most suitable FA profiles were Scenedesmus sp. MACC 401, Scenedesmus soli MACC 721, and Scenedesmus ecornis MACC 714. Although Chlorella sp. MACC 519 had lower lipid productivity, the FA profile was good with a lower PUFA component compared to the other Chlorella strains analyzed and a low linolenic acid concentration.     

Nitrogen deprivation of microalgae: effect on cell size,cell wall thickness,cell strength,and resistance to mechanical disruption

Nitrogen deprivation (N-deprivation) is a proven strategy for inducing triacylglyceride accumulation in microalgae. However, its effect on the physical properties of cells and subsequently on product recovery processes is relatively unknown. In this study, the effect of N-deprivation on the cell size, cell wall thickness, and mechanical strength of three microalgae was investigated. As determined by analysis of micrographs from transmission electron microscopy, the average cell size and cell wall thickness for N-deprived Nannochloropsis sp. and Chlorococcum sp. were ca. 25% greater than the N-replete cells, and 20 and 70% greater, respectively, for N-deprived Chlorella sp. The average Young’s modulus of N-deprived Chlorococcum sp. cells was estimated using atomic force microscopy to be 775 kPa; 30% greater than the N-replete population. Although statistically significant, these microstructural changes did not appear to affect the overall susceptibility of cells to mechanical rupture by high pressure homogenisation. This is important as it suggests that subjecting these microalgae to nitrogen starvation to accumulate lipids does not adversely affect the recovery of intracellular lipids.     

Enhancement of total lipid yield by nitrogen,carbon, and iron supplementation in isolated microalgae

The biochemical contents and biodiesel production ability of three microalgal strains grown under different sodium nitrate, sodium carbonate, and ferric ammonium citrate (iron) levels were investigated. The highest biomass and lipid contents were found in Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella sp., and Chlamydomonas sp. when grown in normal BG‐11 containing sodium carbonate concentration at 0.03 g · L^?1, and in normal BG‐11 containing iron concentration (IC) at 0.009 or 0.012 g · L^?1. Increasing the sodium nitrate level increased the biomass content, but decreased the lipid content in all three microalgae. Among the three microalgae, Scenedesmus sp. showed the highest total lipid yield of 0.69 g · L^?1 under the IC of 0.012 g · L^?1. Palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids of Scenedesmus sp. and Chlamydomonas sp. lipids. On the other hand, Chlorella sp. lipids were rich in palmitic, oleic, and linolenic acids, and henceforth contributing to poor biodiesel properties below the standard limits. The three isolated strains had a potential for biodiesel production. Nevertheless, Scenedesmus sp. from stone quarry pond water was the most suitable source for biodiesel production with tolerance toward the high concentration of sodium carbonate without the loss of its biodiesel properties.     

Scenedesmus sp. NJ-1 isolated from Antarctica: a suitable renewable lipid source for biodiesel production

Microalgal lipids are promising alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production. Scenedesmus sp. NJ-1, an oil-rich freshwater microalga isolated from Antarctica, was identified to be a suitable candidate to produce biodiesel in this study. This strain could grow at temperatures ranging from 4 to 35?°C. With regular decrease in nitrate concentration in the medium, large quantities of triacylglycerols accumulated under batch culture conditions detected by thin layer chromatography and BODIPY 505/515 fluorescent staining. Scenedesmus sp. NJ-1 achieved the average biomass productivity of 0.105?g?l^?1?d^?1 (dry weight) and nearly the highest lipid content (35?% of dry cell weight) was reached at day 28 in the batch culture. Neutral lipids accounted for 78?% of total lipids, and C18:1 (n-9), C16:0 were the major fatty acids in total lipids, composing 37 and 20?% of total fatty acids of Scenedesmus sp. NJ-1 grown for 36?days, respectively. These results suggested that Scenedesmus sp. NJ-1 was a good source of microalgal oils for biodiesel production.     

Mixotrophic cultivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorococcum</Emphasis> sp. under non-controlled conditions using a digestate from pig manure within a biorefinery

A number of business opportunities may arise from microalgae and wastewater treatment becoming an integrated system, as biofuels and high-added value products could be obtained simultaneously. This study, performed under controlled and non-controlled conditions, aimed at cultivating Chlorococcum sp. using a digestate from pig manure as culture medium and assessing its growth and biochemical composition for further applications. Under controlled conditions, cultures of Chlorococcum sp. were established testing various digestate dilutions (v/v). It was found that all tested dilutions (up to 8% v/v) promoted a higher biomass density, compared to the control culture in modified Bold’s Basal Medium (modified BBM). Under non-controlled conditions, it was found that the biomass productivity using the digestate diluted 5.6% v/v (23.4 mg L^?1 day^?1) was statistically similar to the one obtained using modified BBM (26.4 mg L^?1 day^?1). The volatile fatty acids contained in the digestate might have allowed mixotrophic growth for Chlorococcum sp. The intracellular lipid content in Chlorococcum sp. remained constant throughout the experiments in both, treatment and control cultures, while carbohydrates increased from 20 to 45% of the cell dry weight in the treatment and from 20 to 42% in the control one. It was concluded that conditions of nitrogen starvation and fluctuating irradiance and temperature benefit carbohydrate accumulation in this strain, since intracellular carbohydrate content increased nearly two-fold during this period. Additionally, the obtained biomass has the potential to be used as feedstock for bioethanol production. This system can meet the concept of a microalgae-based biorefinery, in which biofuels and high-added value products are produced from microalgae and wastewater.     

Long-term outdoor growth and lipid productivity of Tetraselmis suecica, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Chlorella sp (Chlorophyta) in bag photobioreactors

There has been considerable interest on cultivation of green microalgae (Chlorophyta) as a source of lipid that can alternatively be converted to biodiesel. The ideal microalga characteristics are that it must grow well even under high cell density and under varying outdoor environmental conditions and be able to have a high biomass productivity and contain a high oil content (~25–30 %). The main advantage of Chlorophyta is that their fatty acid profile is suitable for biodiesel conversion. Tetraselmis suecica CS-187 and Chlorella sp. were grown semi-continuously in bag photobioreactors (120 L, W?×?L?=?40?×?380 cm) over a period of 11 months in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Monthly biomass productivity of T. suecica CS-187 and Chlorella sp. was strongly correlated to available solar irradiance. The total dry weight productivity of T. suecica and Chlorella sp. was 110 and 140 mg L^?1 d^?1, respectively, with minimum 25 % lipid content for both strains. Both strains were able to tolerate a wide range of shear produced by mixing. Operating cultures at lower cell density resulted in increasing specific growth rates of T. suecica and Chlorella sp. but did not affect their overall biomass productivity. On the other hand, self shading sets the upper limit of operational maximum cell density. Several attempts in cultivating Dunaliella tertiolecta CS-175 under the same climatic conditions were unsuccessful.     

Bioprospecting and indexing the microalgal diversity of different ecological habitats of India

Our study reports the collection, biodiversity analyses, isolation and identification of microalgae from different habitats of India. Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae were the most dominant algal groups recorded, with the highest number being recorded for non-heterocystous cyanobacteria (48), followed by 44 unicellular forms. Sagar Island, Sunderbans recorded the greatest number of algae, and unicellular/colonial green algae were present in all the samples. Shannon’s Diversity Index was highest in Koikhali, Sunderbans, followed by Rushikulya River, Odisha. Selective enrichment, purification through serial dilution followed by plating and regular observations led to the isolation of sixteen strains. Identification was done by using microscopic observations, supported with standard monographs and classified as belonging to seven genera (Chlorella, Chlorococcum, Kirchneria, Scenedesmus, Chlamydomonas, Tetracystis and Ulothrix). 18S rDNA sequencing was undertaken for four strains. The set of sixteen strains were screened under standard cultural conditions for their growth kinetics and Chlorella sorokiniana MIC-G5, followed by Chlorella sp. MIC-G4 exhibited the highest growth rates. The strain Chlorococcum sp. MIC-G2 recorded highest chlorophyll, while MIC-G3 ranked highest for carbohydrates. The study aided in identifying the dominant microalgae in the diverse habitats and characterizing their growth rate and carbohydrate content, providing a valuable germplasm for further utilization in agriculture and industry.     

Unveiling antimicrobial activity of microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana (UKM2), Chlorella sp. (UKM8) and Scenedesmus sp. (UKM9)

Microalgae represent promising sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria leads to the need to explore new cost-effective, safe, and potent bioactive compounds from the microalgae. This study aimed to investigate the potential of local microalgae for their antimicrobial properties and bioactive compounds. Three local microalgae namely Chlorella sorokiniana (UKM2), Chlorella sp. UKM8, and Scenedesmus sp. UKM9 biomass methanol extracts (ME) were prepared and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Chlorella sp. UKM8-ME showed the highest antibacterial activity. UKM8-ME minimum inhibitory concentrations were in the range of 0.312 to 6.25 mg/mL. Cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT assay showed that the microalgae methanolic extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity against Vero-cells. The UKM8-ME was mainly containing 28 compounds from the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Major compounds of UKM8-ME included phenol (18.5%), hexadecanoic acid (18.25%), phytol (14.43%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (13.69%), and bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane (7.23%), which have been previously described to possess antimicrobial activity. Hence, Chlorella sp. (UKM8) methanol extracts showed promising antibacterial activity. More comprehensive studies are required to purify these antimicrobial compounds and develop our understanding on their mechanism in UKM8-ME to unleash their specific potential.