An investigation of the heterotrophic culture of the green alga Tetraselmis

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An investigation of the heterotrophic culture of the green algaTetraselmis

A research paper

Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 8, Number 1 / January, 1996
DOI - 10.1007/BF02186225
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005

John G. Day1 and Alexander J. Tsavalos2
(1)
Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere Laboratory, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, U.K.
(2)
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St., Liverpool, L3 3AF, U.K.

Received: 6 March 1996 Accepted: 13 March 1996

Abstract

The marine PrasinophyteTetraselmis may be cultured under both mixotrophic (photoheterotrophic) and heterotrophic conditions. The growth rate was slightly lower, and pigment levels and lipid composition were radically affected on heterotrophic culture in 1 L fermenters. Total chlorophyll levels of dark grown cultures were less than 1% of those observed in mixotrophically grown cells, the chlorophylla : b ratio also decreased as did the carotenoid content. In addition, the total amounts of lipids including polyunsaturated fatty-acids were also lower in heterotrophically cultured cells: 6.4 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 0.35 mg g–1 (dried alga); as compared to 37.1 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 18.5 mg g–1 (dried alga), for cells grown in the light. However, gross morphology and final yield (>16 g l–1) were relatively unaffected. The algae produced were spray-dried and tested for their suitability as an aquaculture feed.

Key words algal biotechnology - heterotrophic culture - Tetraselmis - lipids - pigments - aquaculture

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