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Assessment of photosynthesis regulation in mixotrophically cultured microalga Chlorella sorokiniana

Journal Article · · Algal Research
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [3];  [1];  [1]
  1. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
  2. Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
  3. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
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Mixotrophic growth of microalgae offers great potential as an efficient strategy for biofuel production. In this study, photosynthetic regulation of mixotrophically cultured Chlorella sorokiniana cells was systematically evaluated. Mixotrophic cells in the exponential growth phase showed the highest photosynthetic activity, where maximum photosynthetic O2 evolution was approximately 3- and 4-fold higher than cells in the same phase grown photoautotrophically in 1% CO2 (in air) and air, respectively. Additionally, characteristic chlorophyll fluorescence parameters demonstrated that no limitation in electron transport downstream of PSII was detected in mixotrophic cells. Up-regulation of photosynthetic activity was associated with high total ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylase activity and expression level of phosphoribulokinase (PRK). After 3 days, photosynthetic O2 evolution of mixotrophic cells that went to the stationary phase, was strongly reduced, with reduced photochemical efficiency and reorganization of the PSII complex. Simultaneously, enzymatic activity for Rubisco carboxylase and mRNA levels of Rubisco and PRK diminished. Importantly, there was almost no non-photochemical quenching for mixotrophic cells, whether grown in log or stationary phase. A decline in the quantum efficiency of PSII and an oxidized plastoquinone pool (PQ pool) was observed under N-depleted conditions during mixotrophic growth. Finally, these results demonstrate that photosynthesis is regulated differently in mixotrophically cultured C. sorokiniana cells than in cells grown under photoautotrophic conditions, with a particularly strong impact by nitrogen levels in the cells.
Research Organization:
NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States))
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; EE0003112
OSTI ID:
1290785
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1358745
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA--5100-66919
Journal Information:
Algal Research, Journal Name: Algal Research Vol. 19; ISSN 2211-9264
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (5)

Glucose addition-induced changes in the growth and chemical compositions of a freshwater microalga Chlorella kessleri: Impacts of glucose addition in Chlorella kessleri journal December 2018
Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in sludge extract from resorcinol-rich wastewater: the removal and inhibitory effect of sludge toxicity: Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in sludge extract from resorcinol-rich wastewater journal January 2019
Respirometry as a tool to quantify kinetic parameters of microalgal mixotrophic growth journal February 2019
Molecular basis of autotrophic vs mixotrophic growth in Chlorella sorokiniana journal April 2018
Cell growth and lipid accumulation of a microalgal mutant Scenedesmus sp. Z-4 by combining light/dark cycle with temperature variation journal November 2017

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Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Chlorella sorokiniana
microalgae
mixotrophic
photosynthesis