Effects of extreme levels of NaCl on valuable compounds of Dunaliella salina

Effects of extreme levels of NaCl on valuable compounds of Dunaliella salina

Algae play an enormously important role in ecology and, increasingly, in biotechnology. Microalgae are one of most known organisms in extreme environments. The use of highly polluted wastewaters or waters with unfavorable conditions for the cultivation of algae and use its secondary metabolites in production of raw materials for pharmaceutical and sanitary industries, fishery food, biofuel production and bio-purification and bio-remediation of industrial wastewaters are highly interested in recent decades. In this study effects of high and critical levels of salinity on Dunaliella salina were studied. Two salinity levels (3.5 and 5 M NaCl) were used as a source of stress and added acutely and in one step to 2 M NaCl basic media culture. The Biomass, chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoids, beta-carotene and glycerol were extracted and measured to study the changes. Results show that 2 M media culture (basic culture) was the best condition for pigment production. The salinity of 3.5 M had best effect on glycerol production. The biomass had maintained the steady growth rate in all salinity conditions. Based on the results D. salina could be introduce as one of the most resistant species against salinity since 5 M NaCl is the almost highest salinity possible in nature.

Algae play an enormously important role in ecology and, increasingly, in biotechnology. Microalgae are one of most known organisms in extreme environments. The use of highly polluted wastewaters or waters with unfavorable conditions for the cultivation of algae and use its secondary metabolites in production of raw materials for pharmaceutical and sanitary industries, fishery food, biofuel production and bio-purification and bio-remediation of industrial wastewaters are highly interested in recent decades. In this study effects of high and critical levels of salinity on Dunaliella salina were studied. Two salinity levels (3.5 and 5 M NaCl) were used as a source of stress and added acutely and in one step to 2 M NaCl basic media culture. The Biomass, chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoids, beta-carotene and glycerol were extracted and measured to study the changes. Results show that 2 M media culture (basic culture) was the best condition for pigment production. The salinity of 3.5 M had best effect on glycerol production. The biomass had maintained the steady growth rate in all salinity conditions. Based on the results D. salina could be introduce as one of the most resistant species against salinity since 5 M NaCl is the almost highest salinity possible in nature.