An evaluation of the accumulation of intracellular inorganic nitrogen pools by marine microalgae in batch cultures

Abstracts

Methods of extraction, changes in concentrations with growth, and effects of culture conditions on intracellular inorganic nitrogen pools (IIN - ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) were studied in nine species of marine microalgae in batch cultures. The microalgae were analysed to compare three methods of extraction of IIN, one of them developed in this study. The extraction of IIN occurs efficient by with all three methods for four out of the nine species tested. However, for five species significant differences were found among the methods, the best results being obtained with the new method. Microalgae accumulate inorganic forms of nitrogen in different proportions. The species show higher concentrations of either ammonia or nitrate, and always lower concentrations of nitrite. Microalgae of smaller cellular volumes tend to attain higher values of IIN per cubic micrometer (the converse in large-volume species), with some exceptions (Amphidinium carterae and Nannochloropsis oculata). The use of aeration in the cultures determines a decrease in the concentrations of IIN, favours nitrogen assimilation, and generates an increase in growth rates and C:N ratio. High concentrations of IIN are characteristic of the exponential growth phase, but in some cases their occurrence may result from carbon deficiency.

Batch Culture; Carbon; Intracellular Inorganic Nitrogen; Marine Microalgae; Nitrogen; Surface : Volume Ratio

Métodos de extração, mudanças na concentração durante o crescimento e efeitos de condições de cultivo sobre conteúdos de nitrogênio inorgânico intracelular (NII - amônia, nitrito e nitrato) foram estudados em nove espécies de microalgas marinhas em cultivos estanques. As microalgas foram analisadas para comparar três métodos de extração de NII, um dos quais desenvolvido neste estudo. A extração de NII ocorre de forma eficiente com os três métodos para quatro espécies. Contudo, para cinco espécies diferenças significativas foram encontradas e os melhores resultados foram obtidos com o método novo. As microalgas acumulam formas inorgânicas de nitrogênio em proporções diferentes. As espécies apresentam concentrações de amônia ou nitrato como as mais altas e sempre menores concentrações de nitrito. Microalgas de menores volumes celulares tendem a atingir valores mais altos de NII por micrômetro cúbico (contrariamente para espécies de volumes celulares maiores), com algumas exceções (Amphidinium carterae e Nannochloropsis oculata). A adição de aeração nos cultivos determina um decréscimo na concentração de NII, favorece a assimilação de nitrogênio e gera um aumento na taxa de crescimento e na razão C:N. Concentrações altas de NII são características da fase de crescimento exponencial, mas em alguns casos sua ocorrência pode resultar de deficiência por carbono.

Carbono; Cultivo Estanque; Microalgas Marinhas; Nitrogênio; Nitrogênio Inorgânico Intracelular; Razão superfície : Volume

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  20 Jan 2009
• Date of issue
  June 2005

History

• Accepted
  29 Aug 2005
• Reviewed
  27 June 2005
• Received
  18 Apr 2005