Characterization of a Chlorophyta microalga isolated from a microbial mat in Salar de Atacama (northern Chile) as a potential source of compounds for biotechnological applications |
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Authors: | Gladys Hayashida Carlos Schneider Liliana Espíndola Diana Arias Carlos Riquelme Cristian Wulff‐Zottele Paula Díaz‐Palma Mariella Rivas |
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Institution: | 1. Algal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Aquatic and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sea Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile;2. Department of Vegetal Sciences and Technology, Science and Technology School, University of Concepción, Los Angeles, Chile;3. Department of Chemistry, Northern Catholic University, Antofagasta, Chile;4. Department of Aquaculture & Bioinnovation Center (CBIA), University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile;5. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile;6. Department of Bioenergy and Environmental Sustainability, Scientific and Technology Research Center for Mining (CICITEM), Antofagasta, Chile;7. Division of Natural Resources and Biodiversity, Department of Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Chile, Santiago, Chile |
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Abstract: | Microalgae are an important source of unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, glycolipids, and carotenes, which are useful compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is one of the driest deserts on Earth and, as such, it is a great natural laboratory in which to study new microorganisms adapted to extreme environments. A microalgal strain, referred to here as CH03, was isolated from a microbial mat in salt flat water in Salar de Atacama. Genetic analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene showed that the strain had homology with other known sequences of the species Chlorella sorokiniana. Our results revealed the adaptability of this microalga to freshwater medium under laboratory conditions, despite coming from an extremely high‐salinity environment. The fatty acid profile of CH03(A) newly isolated in Bold's basal medium differed from that of CH03(B) cultured in vitro in modified F/2 medium and from another five strains of C. sorokiniana and three strains of Chlorella vulgaris in that it had a high stearic acid content and had no polyunsaturated fatty acids. The major biochemical components observed in this strain were proteins (64.3–73.6%) and lipids (26.6–32.6%). This study suggests that the strain CH03 could be a protein source and that this oleaginous microalga is easy to grow in vitro as a biological model for future studies. |
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Keywords: | Altiplane Chlorella sorokiniana extreme tolerant microalgae microbial mat oleaginous strain polyunsaturated fatty acid stearic acid |
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