Effects of elevated temperatures on growth and photosynthetic performance of polar Chlorella

Abstract

Global warming has been the subject of concern in today’s world with elevating temperature causing the melting of polar ice and increasing sea level. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological and photosynthetic performance of two polar Chlorella, namely Chlorella UMACC 250 and Chlorella UMACC 234 to elevating temperatures as might be experienced under future warming scenarios. The cultures were exposed to three different temperatures of 4 ℃, 8 ℃ and 12 ℃. The growth and photosynthetic activity were determined every 2 d for a period of 10 d. At the end of the experiment, the cultures were harvested and analysed for biochemical composition. Both Chlorella strains were able to tolerate higher temperatures than their ambient temperature. The final pigments content showed an increasing trend with increased temperatures for both strains. The photosynthetic activities were measured using pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometer. The photosynthetic parameters including maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), light harvesting efficiency () and photoadaptive index (Ek) were derived from the rapid light curves (RLCs). Both Chlorella strains showed a slight decline in growth and photosynthetic activities at the initial part of the experiment. However, they showed the ability to recuperate with Chlorella UMACC 250 recovers better compared to Chlorella UMACC 234. Both Chlorella strains showed similar trend in their carbohydrate content at 12 ℃, while the protein content of Chlorella UMACC 234 decreased when exposed to increasing temperatures. The results indicated that polar Chlorella are able to survive at increased temperatures throughout the experiment. Citation : Anuwar S, Teoh M-L, Yap W-H, et al. Effects of elevated temperatures on growth and photosynthetic performance of polar Chlorella. Adv Polar Sci, 2020, 31(2): 124-131, doi: 10.13679/j.advps.2019.0040