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- Razaghi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Effects of nitrogen on growth and carbohydrate formation in Porphyridium cruentum
- 2014
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 9:2, s. 156-162
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The microalga Porphyridium cruentum (Rhodophyta) has several industrial and pharmaceutical uses, especially for its polysaccharide production. This study aimed to investigate the influence of nitrogen levels as reflected by altered N:P ratios on the production and content of biomass and carbohydrate. N:P molar ratios were altered in batch cultures to range from 1.6 to 50 using the Redfield ratio of 1:16 as reference. Algal growth (estimated as final cell number, biomass concentration and maximum specific growth rate) was negatively affected at low N:P ratios. The optimal N:P ratio for growth was identified at 35-50, with specific growth rates of 0.19 day(-1) and maximum cell concentrations of 59 center dot 10(8) cells L-1 and 1.2 g dry weight of biomass L-1. In addition, variation in cell size was seen. Cells with larger diameters were at higher N:P ratios and smaller cells at lower ratios. The cellular carbohydrate content increased under reduced nitrogen availability. However, because accumulation was moderate at the lowest N:P ratio, 0.4 g per g dry weight biomass compared to 0.24 at the Redfield ratio of 16:1, conditions for increased total carbohydrate formation were identified at the N:P ratios optimal for growth. Additionally, carbohydrates were largely accumulated in late exponential to stationary phase.
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