Effect of heavy metals on protein content of marine unicellular green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta.

Abstract

Microalgae are rich source of protein containing necessary amino acids at different levels. The present study was designed to assess stimulatory and/or inhibitory impact of five different concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25mg/L) of three essential heavy metals (nickel, zinc, and copper) on protein content (soluble, insoluble, and total) of the marine unicellular green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta. Further, geospatial analyses were used to assess the suitability of Qaroun Lake for D. tertiolecta proliferation. The experimental results showed a gradual increase in protein content of D. tertiolecta with low concentrations of the three investigated heavy metals. However, increasing levels of heavy metals led to inhibitory effect on protein synthesis in alga with different grades. Ni, Zn and Cu levels in Qaroun lake were found suitable for the proliferation of Dunaliella (Lower than 5mg/L). The present study highly recommends the necessity to encourage site selection of optimal marine environments suitable for the proliferation of marine algae rich in protein content.