Influence of pH, temperature, and urea molar flowrate on Arthrospira platensis fed-batch cultivation: a kinetic and thermodynamic approach

Arthrospira platensis was cultivated photoautotrophically at 6.0 klux light intensity in 5.0-L open tanks, using a mineral medium containing urea as nitrogen source. Fed-batch experiments were performed at constant flowrate. A central composite factorial design combined to response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to determine the relationship between the selected response variables (cell concentration after 10 days, X(m), cell productivity, P(X), and nitrogen-to-cell conversion factor, Y(X/N)) and codified values of the independent variables (pH, temperature, T, and urea flowrate, K). By applying the quadratic regression analysis, the equations describing the behaviors of these responses as simultaneous functions of the selected independent variables were determined, and the conditions for X(m) and P(X) optimization were estimated (pH 9.5, T = 29 degrees C, and K = 0.551 mM/day). The experimental data obtained under these conditions (X(m) = 749 mg/L; P(X) = 69.9 mg/L.day) were very close to the estimated ones (X(m) = 721 mg/L; P(X) = 67.1 mg/L.day). Additional cultivations were carried out under the above best conditions of pH control and urea flowrate at variable temperature. Consistently with the results of RSM, the best growth temperature was 29 degrees C. The maximum specific growth rates at different temperatures were used to estimate the thermodynamic parameters of growth (DeltaH* = 59.3 kJ/mol; DeltaS* = -0.147 kJ/mol.K; DeltaG* = 103 kJ/mol) and its thermal inactivation (DeltaH(D) (o) = 72.0 kJ/mol; DeltaS(D) (o) = 0.144 kJ/mol.K; DeltaG(D) (o) = 29.1 kJ/mol).     

Distribution of Nitrogen during Growth of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The accumulation, distribution and redistribution of dry matterand nitrogen is described for Helianthus annuus L. cv. Hysun21 grown on 6 mM urea in glasshouse culture. Seed dry matterand nitrogen were transferred to seedlings with net efficienciesof 40 and 86 per cent respectively. At flowering, the stem hadmost of the plant's dry matter and the leaves most of its nitrogen.About 35 per cent of the plant's nitrogen accumulated afterthree-row anthesis. The amount of protein in vegetative parts,especially leaves, declined after flowering. Concentrationsof free amino compounds also decreased during growth. Matureseeds had 38 per cent of the total plant dry weight and 68 percent of the total nitrogen. Seeds acquired 33 per cent of theirdry matter and nitrogen from redistribution from above-groundplant parts. The stem was most important for storage of carbohydrate,leaves the most important for nitrogen. Over 50 per cent ofthe nitrogen in the stem and leaves was redistributed. Plantsthat received 6 mM nitrate accumulated more dry matter thanurea-grown plants. Seeds from nitrate-grown plants were heavier(58 mg) than those of urea-grown plants (46 mg), and their percentageoil was greater (50 and 41 respectively). The amount of nitrogenper seed was the same. Little or no urea was detected in xylem sap of plants suppliedwith 5 mM urea, but it was detected in sap of plants which received25 mM. Concentrations of urea and amino compounds in the sapdecreased up the stem. Plants supplied with nitrate had mostof the nitrogen in xylem sap as NO₂^–, suggesting littlenitrate reduction in roots. Plants grown on 6 mM nitrate andchanged to high levels of urea-nitrogen for 14 days still hadhigh levels of nitrate; little nitrate remained in plants receivinglow levels of urea. When urea is applied in irrigation waterto field-grown sunflower, the nitrogen is subsequently takenup as nitrate due to rapid nitrogen transformations in the soil. Helianthus annuus L., sunflower, urea, nitrate, nitrogen transport, xylem sap, nitrogen accumulation nitrogen distribution     

Influence of ammonium chloride feeding time and light intensity on the cultivation of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis

This study dealt with the influence of both the feeding time and light intensity on the fed-batch culture of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis using ammonium chloride as a nitrogen source. For this purpose, a 2(2) plus star central composite experimental design combined with response surface methodology was employed, and the maximum cell concentration (X(m)), the cell productivity (P(X)), and the yield of biomass on nitrogen (Y(X/N)) were selected as the response variables. The optimum values of X(m) (1,833 mg L(-1)) and Y(X/N) (5.9 g g(-1)) estimated by the model at light intensity of 13 klux and feeding time of 17.2 days were very close to those obtained experimentally under these conditions (X(m) = 1,771 +/- 41 mg L(-1); Y(X/N) = 5.7 +/- 0.17 g g(-1)). The cell productivity was a decreasing function of the ammonium chloride feeding time and a quadratic function of the light intensity. The protein and lipid contents of dry biomass collected at the end of cultivations were shown to decrease with increasing light intensity.     

Effects of light intensity and dilution rate on the semicontinuous cultivation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis. A kinetic Monod-type approach

Semicontinuous cultures were carried out at different dilution rates (D) and light intensities (I) to determine the maximum productivity of Arthrospira platensis cultivated in helicoidal photobioreactor up to the achievement of pseudo-steady-state conditions. At I=108 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1), the semicontinuous regime ensured the highest values of maximum cell concentration (X(m)=5772±113 mg L(-1)) and productivity (P(XS)=1319±25 mg L(-1) d(-1)) at the lowest (D=0.1 day(-1)) and the highest (D=0.3 day(-1)) dilution rates, respectively. A kinetic model derived from that of Monod was proposed to determine the relationship between the product of light intensity to dilution rate (ID) and the cell productivity, which were shown to exert a combined influence on this parameter. This result put into evidence that pseudo-steady-state conditions could be modified according to circumstances, conveniently varying one or other of the two independent variables.     

Investigations into enzymes of nitrogen metabolism of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete, Suillus bovinus

Axenic mycelia of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete, Suillus bovinus, were grown in liquid media under continuous aeration with compressed air at 25 degrees C in darkness. Provided with glucose as the only carbohydrate source, they produced similar amounts of dry weight with ammonia, with nitrate or with alanine, 60-80% more with glutamate or glutamine, but about 35% less with urea as the respectively only exogenous nitrogen source. In crude extracts of cells from NH4(+)-cultures, NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase exhibited high aminating (688 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)) and low deaminating (21 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)) activities. Its Km-values for 2-oxoglutarate and for glutamate were 1.43 mM and 23.99 mM, respectively. pH-optimum for amination was about 7.2, that for deamination about 9.3. Glutamine synthetase activity was comparatively low (59 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)). Its affinity for glutamate was poor (Km = 23.7 mM), while that for the NH4+ replacing NH2OH was high (Km = 0.19 mM). pH-optimum was found at 7.0. Glutamate synthase (= GOGAT) revealed similar low activity (62 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)), Km-values for glutamine and for 2-oxoglutarate of 2.82 mM and 0.28 mM, respectively, and pH-optimum around 8.0. Aspartate transaminase (= GOT) exhibited similar affinities for aspartate (Km = 2.55 mM) and for glutamate (Km = 3.13 mM), but clearly different Km-values for 2-oxoglutarate (1.46 mM) and for oxaloacetate (0.13 mM). Activity at optimum pH of about 8.0 was 506 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1) for aspartate conversion, but only 39 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1) at optimum pH of about 7.0 for glutamate conversion. Activity (599 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)), substrate affinities (Km for alanine = 6.30 mM, for 2-oxoglutarate = 0.45 mM) and pH-optimum (6.5-7.5) proved alanine transaminase (= GPT) also important in distribution of intracellular nitrogen. There was comparatively low activity of the obviously constitutive enzyme, urease, (42 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1)) whose substrate affinity was rather high (Km = 0.56 mM). Nitrate reductase proved substrate induced; activity could only be measured after exposure of the mycelia to exogenous nitrate. Routes of entry of exogenous nitrogen and tentative significance of the various enzymes in cell metabolism are discussed.     

Growth and stoichiometry of a Catharanthus roseus cell suspension culture grown under nitrogen-limiting conditions

The uptake of carbohydrate and nitrate by Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures was studied in relation to biomass production in shake flasks. Biomass production was similar when using either 6, 12, 18, or 24 mM nitrate as the nitrogen source and 20 g L(-1) sucrose as the carbon source. In all cases, maximum biomass production was reached when carbohydrates were entirely consumer by the cells. Apparent biomass yields, Y(X/S) and Y(X/N) were 0.49 g biomass g(-1) glucose equivalent and 0.23 g biomass mmol(-1) nitrate, respectively. The determination of the cellular carbon-to-nitrogen ration (C/N ration) resulted in the identification of three district growth phases: an active growth phase, and accumulation phase, and a biomass decline phase (endogenous metabolism). The onset of the last two phases was correlated with nitrate and sugar of the last two phases was correlated with nitrate and sugar exhaustion, respectively. Balanced stoichiometric equations describing the active growth and accumulation phases were proposed based on elemental composition and ash content of the biomass. The stoichiometric equation related to the accumulation phase predicts that the available sugars are stored as starch- and lipid-like materials.     

CO₂ from alcoholic fermentation for continuous cultivation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis in tubular photobioreactor using urea as nitrogen source

Carbon dioxide released from alcoholic fermentation accounts for 33% of the whole CO(2) involved in the use of ethanol as fuel derived from glucose. As Arthrospira platensis can uptake this greenhouse gas, this study evaluates the use of the CO(2) released from alcoholic fermentation for the production of Arthrospira platensis. For this purpose, this cyanobacterium was cultivated in continuous process using urea as nitrogen source, either using CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, without any treatment, or using pure CO(2) from cylinder. The experiments were carried out at 120 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) in tubular photobioreactor at different dilution rates (0.2 ≤ D ≤ 0.8 d(-1) ). Using CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, maximum steady-state cell concentration (2661 ± 71 mg L(-1) ) was achieved at D = 0.2 d(-1) , whereas higher dilution rate (0.6 d(-1) ) was needed to maximize cell productivity (839 mg L(-1) d(-1) ). This value was 10% lower than the one obtained with pure CO(2) , and there was no significant difference in the biomass protein content. With D = 0.8 d(-1) , it was possible to obtain 56% ± 1.5% and 50% ± 1.2% of protein in the dry biomass, using pure CO(2) and CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, respectively. These results demonstrate that the use of such cost free CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation as carbon source, associated with low cost nitrogen source, may be a promising way to reduce costs of continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, contributing at the same time to mitigate the greenhouse effect.     

Kinetic and growth parameters of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis cultivated in tubular photobioreactor under different cell circulation systems

Arthrospira platensis was cultivated in tubular photobioreactor in order to evaluate growth and biomass production at variable photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD = 60, 120, and 240 μmol photons m(-2)s(-1)) and employing three different systems for cell circulation, specifically an airlift, a motor-driven pumping and a pressurized system. The influence of these two independents variables on the maximum cell concentration (X(m)), cell productivity (P(x)), nitrogen-to-cell conversion factor (Y(X/N) ), photosynthetic efficiency (PE), and biomass composition (total lipids and proteins), taken as responses, was evaluated by analysis of variance. The statistical analysis revealed that the best combination of responses' mean values (X(m) = 4,055 mg L(-1), P(x) = 406 mg L(-1)day(-1), Y(X/N) = 5.07 mg mg(-1), total lipids = 8.94%, total proteins = 30.3%, PE = 2.04%) was obtained at PPFD = 120 μmol photons m(-2)s(-1); therefore, this light intensity should be considered as the most well-suited for A. platensis cultivation in this photobioreactor configuration. The airlift system did not exert any significant positive statistical influence on the responses, which suggests that this traditional cell circulation system could successfully be substituted by the others tested in this work.     

用混合氮源在室外培养产油链带藻的可行性研究

为探索两株链带藻（Desmodesmus sp.T28-1和Desmodesmus sp.NMX451）在室外培养的最优氮源,首先在室内就不同氮源（尿素、硝酸钠、碳酸铵以及尿素和硝酸钠混合氮源）下微藻的生长和油脂积累做了研究,筛选出最优的混合氮源在室外进行了培养的可行性研究。室内研究结果表明两株链带藻在尿素下培养油脂含量最低,在铵氮下培养生物量最低。且NMX451在混合态氮下的油脂产率显著性的高于其他氮源下的油脂产率。对两株链带藻在混合氮源下的脂肪酸组分做进一步分析,结果表明油脂组分适合生物柴油生产要求,估算的生物柴油品质达到国际和国内生产标准。将两株链带藻置于室外140 L柱式反应器中用混合氮源进一步扩大培养,结果表明NMX451比T28-1的油脂含量和油脂产率高,生产成本更低,且脂肪酸组分更适宜生物柴油生产。研究表明用混合氮源在室外培养微藻是非常可行的培养方法,也说明NMX451比T28-1在生物柴油生产方面具有更好的潜力。     

Joint action of elevated ambient nitrite and nitrate on hemolymph nitrogenous compounds and nitrogen excretion of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

Penaeus monodon (12.13+/-1.14 g) exposed individually to six different nitrite and nitrate regimes (0.002, 0.36 and 1.46 mM nitrite combined with 0.005 and 7.32 mM nitrate), at a salinity of 25 ppt, were examined for hemolymph nitrogenous compounds and whole shrimp's nitrogen excretions after 24 h. Nitrogen excretion increased directly with ambient nitrite and nitrate. Hemolymph nitrite, nitrate, urea and uric acid levels increased, while hemolymph ammonia, oxyhemocyanin and protein were inversely related to ambient nitrite. Exposure of P. monodon to elevated nitrite in the presence of 7.32 mM nitrate did not alter hemolymph nitrite, ammonia, uric acid, oxyhemocyanin and protein levels, but caused an increase in hemolymph nitrate and a decrease in hemolymph urea as compared to exposure to elevated nitrite only. Following exposure to elevated nitrite, nitrite was oxidized to nitrate and P. monodon showed uricogenesis and uricolysis. The shrimp also used strategies to avoid joint toxicities of nitrite and metabolic ammonia by removing ammonia or reducing ammonia production under the stress of elevated nitrite.     

真盐生植物盐角草对不同氮形态的响应

盐角草(Salicornia europaea L.)是一种喜盐植物,其最佳生长的实现需要200—400 mmol/L NaCl。为了解盐渍环境下盐角草氮素吸收利用特点,在水培添加200或400 mmol/L NaCl情况下,从生长指标,光合参数,根系体积和活力,硝酸还原酶与谷氨酰胺合成酶活力,蛋白、总氮、硝态氮及铵态氮含量等方面检测了硝态氮、铵态氮和尿素3种氮形态对盐角草生长的影响。研究发现以氮摩尔浓度(mmol/L)计,在0.1—400 mmol/L浓度范围进行测试,盐角草在0.1 mmol/L低氮条件下仍能维持生长,同时,抑制盐角草生长的氮浓度域值较高,其中铵态氮、尿素和硝态氮分别为50、50及400 mmol/L。研究结果表明盐角草吸收利用氮素的能力强,对氮素的浓度耐受范围宽,3种氮形态都可作为氮源满足其生长需要,但有效促进生长的效果存在差异,总体顺序从高到低依次为硝态氮、铵态氮和尿素。研究为揭示盐生植物氮吸收利用特点提供了基础数据,对提高盐生植物生产力,指导沿海滩涂生态建设具有一定的指导意义。     

Characterization of the reduction of selenate and tellurite by nitrate reductases.

Preliminary studies showed that the periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and the membrane-bound nitrate reductases of Escherichia coli are able to reduce selenate and tellurite in vitro with benzyl viologen as an electron donor. In the present study, we found that this is a general feature of denitrifiers. Both the periplasmic and membrane-bound nitrate reductases of Ralstonia eutropha, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Paracoccus pantotrophus can utilize potassium selenate and potassium tellurite as electron acceptors. In order to characterize these reactions, the periplasmic nitrate reductase of R. sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans IL106 was histidine tagged and purified. The V(max) and K(m) were determined for nitrate, tellurite, and selenate. For nitrate, values of 39 micromol x min(-1) x mg(-1) and 0.12 mM were obtained for V(max) and K(m), respectively, whereas the V(max) values for tellurite and selenate were 40- and 140-fold lower, respectively. These low activities can explain the observation that depletion of the nitrate reductase in R. sphaeroides does not modify the MIC of tellurite for this organism.     

Heterotrophic production of biomass and lutein by Chlorella protothecoides on various nitrogen sources

The effects of nitrate, ammonium, and urea as nitrogen sources on the heterotrophic growth of Chlorella protothecoides were investigated using flask cultures. No appreciable inhibitory effect on the algal growth was observed over a nitrogen concentration range of 0.85-1.7 g l(-)(1). In contrast, differences in specific growth rate and biomass production were found among the cultures with the various nitrogen compounds. The influence of different nitrogen sources at a concentration equivalent to 1.7 g l(-)(1) nitrogen on the heterotrophic production of biomass and lutein by C. protothecoides was investigated using the culture medium containing 40 g l(-)(1) glucose as the sole carbon and energy source in fermentors. The maximum biomass concentrations in the three cultures with nitrate, ammonium, and urea were 18.4, 18.9, and 19.6 g l(-)(1) dry cells, respectively. The maximum lutein yields in these cultures were between 68.42 and 83.81 mg l(-)(1). The highest yields of both biomass and lutein were achieved in the culture with urea. It was therefore concluded that urea was the best nitrogen source for the production of biomass and lutein. Based on the experimental results, a group of kinetic models describing cell growth, lutein production, and glucose and nitrogen consumption were proposed and a satisfactory fit was found between the experimental results and predicted values. Dynamic analysis of models demonstrated that enhancing initial nitrogen concentration in fermentor cultures, which correspondingly enhances cell growth and lutein formation, may shorten the fermentation cycle by 25-46%.     

Evaluation of sole nitrogen sources for shoot and leaf disc cultures of sugarbeet

Use of single nitrogen sources in nutrient media is essential to ascertaining the relative role and regulation of nitrogen assimilatory steps, and may help identify and understand highly productive media for micropropagation and adventitious shoot formation. Eight endogenous nitrogen-containing ions or compounds in sugarbeet (nitrate, ammonium, glutamine, glutamate, urea, proline, glycine betaine and choline) were examined for ability to serve as sole nitrogen source for shoot or leaf disc culture of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) model clone REL-1. The most productive concentrations of nitrate, ammonium, urea, and glutamine as sole nitrogen sources were moderately supportive of shoot multiplication (64, 70, 81 and 71%, respectively) and fresh weight increase (65, 41, 54 and 41%, respectively) compared to shoot culture growth with the Murashige-Skoog nitrogen mix of 40 mM nitrate and 20 mM ammonium. Glutamate and proline were at best poorly supportive, and glycine betaine and choline were non-supportive. Callus initiation from leaf discs was supported only by nitrate, ammonium, urea, glutamine and proline (50, 100, 100, 100 and 80%, respectively, at the best concentrations, of that on Murashige-Skoog medium). Subsequent shoot regeneration from the intact disc callus in those cultures only occurred on media with nitrate, urea, glutamine, or proline (12, 3, 28 and 3% as many shoots, respectively, as on Murashige-Skoog medium). Overall, the Murashige-Skoog nitrogen mix was superior or equal to any single nitrogen source. However, single nitrogen source media with nitrate, ammonium, urea, glutamine or proline should have significant utility for shoot or leaf disc cultures of mutants with impaired nitrogen assimilation, in comparative physiology studies, or in dual cultures with pathogens of limited ability to use any of these forms of nitrogen. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

高压氧对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制研究

目的:观察高压氧(hyperbaric oxygen,HBO)对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用并探讨其作用机制.方法:56只SD大鼠被随机分为三组,假手术组(n=8);I/R组(n=24),夹闭双肾动脉45分钟后恢复血流灌注;I/R+HBO组(n=24),夹闭双肾动脉45分钟并在恢复血流后1h、24 h、48 h行HBO治疗,每次HBO后采血并取双肾,比色法测定血浆尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)值,原位末端标记(TUNEL)法检测肾小管上皮细胞凋亡情况,实时定量PCR法检测促凋亡基因Bax的mRNA含量.结果:与sham组(BUN值为9.563± 1.384 mmol/L;Cr值为45.912±2.685 mmo1/L,TUNEL值为2.088％)比较,I/R组大鼠再灌注1小时尿素氮(12.5±1.487 mmol/L)和血肌酐水平(51.388±3.092 mmol/L)升高,但差异无统计学意义,而TUNEL阳性细胞数(9.775％)和Bax的mR-NA(3.219± 0.427)表达水平均显著升高(P＜0.05),再灌注24小时及48小时后尿素氮(28.087± 2.012 mmol/L、41.225± 1.397mmol/L)和血肌酐(241.75± 11.853 mmol/L、278.75± 12.578 mmol/L)水平、TUNEL阳性细胞数(12.512％、14.413％)和Bax的mRNA(5.541±0.227、6.407± 0.291)表达水平均显著升高(P＜0.05);而HBO治疗可显著降低再灌注24小时及48小时的大鼠尿素氮(14.15±1.397 mmol/L、25.962± 2.497 mmol/L)和血肌酐(146.375± 8.782 mmolL、210.125± 11.519 mmol/L)水平(P＜0.05),但仍显著高于假手术组(P＜0.05).结论:HBO治疗可以改善I/R后肾功能,其作用机制可能与在早期明显降低Bax的mRNA表达,减轻肾小管上皮细胞凋亡有关.     

Association between blood plasma urea nitrogen levels and reproductive fluid urea nitrogen and ammonia concentrations in early lactation dairy cows

Two experiments were conducted to study the relationship of blood plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations with NH3, urea nitrogen, K, Mg, P, Ca, and Na concentrations in fluid of preovulatory follicles (experiment 1) and the relationships of PUN concentration and stage of estrus cycle with ammonia and urea nitrogen concentrations in uterine fluids (experiment 2) in early lactation dairy cows. Mean PUN levels were used to distribute cows into two groups: cows with PUN>or=20 mg/dl (HPUN), and cows with PUN<20 mg/dl (LPUN). In experiment 1, blood and follicular fluids from preovulatory follicles of 38 early lactation dairy cows were collected on the day of estrus (day 0) 4h after feed was offered. Follicular fluid NH3 was higher (P<0.01) in HPUN cows (339.0 micromol/L+/-72.2) compared to LPUN cows (93.9 micromol/L+/-13.1). Follicular fluid urea N was higher (P<0.001) in HPUN cows (22.4 mg/dl+/-0.4) compared to LPUN cows (17.0 mg/dl+/-0.3). PUN and follicular fluid urea N were correlated (r2=0.86) within cows. In experiment 2, blood and uterine fluids were collected from 30 cows on day 0 and on day 7. Uterine fluid NH3 was higher (P=0.05) in HPUN cows (1562 micromol/L+/-202) than in LPUN cows (1082 micromol/L+/-202) on day 7, but not on day 0. Uterine fluid urea N was higher (P<0.001) in HPUN cows than in LPUN cows on day 0 (26.9 mg/dl+/-1.3 and 20.4 mg/dl+/-0.7) and day 7 (26.5 mg/dl+/-1.1 and 21.4 mg/dl+/-1.1). There was a correlation (r2=0.17) between PUN and uterine fluid urea N within cows. The results of this study indicate that high PUN concentrations were associated with elevated NH3 and urea N concentrations in the preovulatory follicular fluids on the day of estrus and in the uterine fluid during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle in early lactation dairy cows. Elevated NH3 or urea N concentrations in the reproductive fluids may contribute to reproductive inefficiency in dairy cows with elevated plasma urea nitrogen due to embryo toxicity.     

Apparent genetic redundancy facilitates ecological plasticity for nitrate transport.

Aspergillus nidulans possesses two high-affinity nitrate transporters, encoded by the nrtA and the nrtB genes. Mutants expressing either gene grew normally on 1-10 mM nitrate as sole nitrogen source, whereas the double mutant failed to grow on nitrate concentrations up to 200 mM. These genes appear to be regulated coordinately in all growth conditions, growth stages and regulatory genetic backgrounds studied. Flux analysis of single gene mutants using 13NO3(-) revealed that K(m) values for the NrtA and NrtB transporters were approximately 100 and approximately 10 microM, respectively, while V(max) values, though variable according to age, were approximately 600 and approximately 100 nmol/mg dry weight/h, respectively, in young mycelia. This kinetic differentiation may provide the necessary physiological and ecological plasticity to acquire sufficient nitrate despite highly variable external concentrations. Our results suggest that genes involved in nitrate assimilation may be induced by extracellular sensing of ambient nitrate without obligatory entry into the cell.     

Competition of two marine diatom algae for urea and nitrate nitrogen under three levels of irradiance

Biomass dynamics of the plankton diatoms Thalassiosira weissflogii and Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima were analyzed in batch mono- and mixed cultures grown on media with urea or nitrate as the sources of nitrogen, under irradiance 13, 38, and 115 microE/(m(2) x s). At the initial enrichment, nitrogen concentration was 0.18 mmol, and the nitrogen : phosphorus ratio was 5 : 1. The mechanisms of competition for the limiting resource satisfactorily described the interactions between the algae grown on urea. Competitive ability of algae was characterised according to the value of competitive eddect (CE), which was calculated as the ratio of growth rate and accumulated biomass decrease in mixed culture to that in monoculture CE of algae grown on urea increased with the increasing of irradiance and was lower than that of algae grown on nitrate. CE of P. delicatissima was higher than that T. weissflogii, independently of the source of nigrogen and the level of irradiance. At 38 and 115 microE/(m(2) x s) the growth of T. weissflogii ceased earlier than that of P. delicatissima, independently of the source o nitrogen. At 13 microE/(m(2) x s) the growth of P. delicatissima ceased earlier than of T. weissflogii in on cultures grown urea, but the growth of T. weissflogii was the first to cease on nitrate. The competition revealed in experimental communities for the nitrogen of urea between plankton algae gives reasons to suggest that in natural communities plankton algae also compere under inorganic nitrogen deficiency and organic nitrogen abundance.     

Urea increases fed‐batch growth and γ‐linolenic acid production of nutritionally valuable Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis cyanobacterium

In this article we investigate the simultaneous influence of feeding time and amount of urea added as a nitrogen source on the fed‐batch growth and composition of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis. Cultivations were performed in 5‐L minitanks at constant temperature (25°C) and light intensity (42 μmol photons/m²s), using exponentially increasing rate of urea addition, and varying the above independent variables in the ranges 9–15 days and 4.6–12.1 mM, respectively. Special emphasis was placed on the content of added high value fatty acids (e.g., γ‐linolenic acid) of concern for the food industry. To this purpose, a 2²‐plus star central composite design was employed, and maximum cell concentration, cell productivity, yield of biomass on nitrogen added, protein content and fatty acids profile were evaluated by multiple regression analysis. The highest cell concentration (1759 mg/L) was obtained at feeding time of 14 days and amount of urea per unit reactor volume of 5.8 mM, while the highest contents of γ‐linolenic acid (27.5% of the lipid fraction) and proteins (77.2%) were obtained at 10 and 14 days and 5.8 and 10.8 mM, respectively. The results confirm the possibility of using urea as cheap nitrogen source to culture this nutritionally valuable cyanobacterium.     

Media optimization of Parietochloris incisa for arachidonic acid accumulation in an outdoor vertical tubular photobioreactor

The green alga Parietochloris incisa contains a significant amount of the nutritionally valuable polyunsaturated fatty acid and arachidonic acid (AA) and is being considered for mass cultivation for commercial AA production. This study was primarily aimed to define a practical medium formulation that can be used in commercial mass cultivation that will contribute to a substantial increase in the AA productivity of P. incisa with concomitant reduction of nutritional cost. The effect of nutrient limitation on growth and AA content of this microalga was explored in a batch culture in outdoor conditions using a vertical tubular photobioreactor. The study was conducted in two parts: the first was primarily focused on the effect of different nitrogen concentration on growth and AA content and the second part compares nitrogen deprivation, combination of nitrogen and phosphorus deprivation, and combined overall nutrient limitations at different levels of deprivation under low and high population densities. Since complete nitrogen deprivation hampers lipid and AA accumulation of P. incisa, thus, a critical value of nitrogen supply that will activate AA accumulation must be elucidated under specific growth conditions. Under the present experimental conditions, 0.5?g(-1) sodium nitrate obtained a higher AA productivity and volumetric yield relative to the nitrogen-deprived culture corresponding to 36.32?mg?L(-1)?day(-1) and 523.19?mg?L(-1). The combined nitrogen and phosphorus limitation seemed to enhance AA productivity better than nitrogen deprivation alone. The effect of overall nutrient limitation indicates that acute nutrient deficiency can trigger rapid lipid and AA syntheses. The effect of light as a consequence of culture cell density was also discussed. This study therefore shows that the nutrient cost can be greatly reduced by adjusting the nutrient levels and culture density to induce AA accumulation in P. incisa.