Under low irradiation, the light regime modifies growth and metabolite production in various species of microalgae

Abstract

The effects of continuous light exposure (24L:0D) and a 12 h:12 h light/dark regime (12L:12D) were compared on the growth and carotenoid, protein, sugar, lipid, and fatty acid contents in Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis sp., Isochrysis galbana, and Dunaliella salina cultured in a batchwise facility. These microalgae were grown axenically under a low photon flux density (PFD) of 27 μmol photons m−2 s−1. C. vulgaris, Nannochloropsis sp., and I. galbana exhibited the highest cell densities when cultured under 24L:0D, whereas D. salina grew better under the alternating light/dark regime. I. galbana accumulated high levels of proteins, sugars, and lipids and exhibited the highest carotenoid content under 24L:0D. Protein production was enhanced in C. vulgaris under 24L:0D. The highest total lipid content was recorded for D. salina, reaching 74.6 % of total proteins, sugars, and lipids in cells at the stationary phase when grown under 12L:12D. The light/dark regime at low PFD was sufficient to stimulate the accumulation of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in all four algae. Their levels, like those of saturated fatty acids, did not differ significantly under the two light regimes. D. salina was an important source of tetradecenoic acid 14:1(n-5). Nannochloropsis sp. produced a large amount of the essential eicosapentaenoic acid, which reached 20 % of total fatty acids under 12L:12D, while I. galbana exhibited the highest level of docosahexaenoic acid, which reached 21 % under both light regimes. This study demonstrated the feasibility of culturing microalgae under low PFD in order to produce large quantities of valuable metabolites, especially various lipids with neutraceutical value.