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Effect of nitrogen source and acclimatization on specific growth rates of microalgae determined by a high-throughput in vivo microplate autofluorescence method

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Abstract

Specific growth rates (SGR) of freshwater algae species (Chlorella vulgaris, Auxenochlorella protothecoides, and Chlorella sorokiniana) and the marine species Nannochloropsis oculata on various nitrogen sources (ammonium carbonate, ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate, and urea) could be determined by in vivo chlorophyll-a autofluorescence. These preferences could be determined before large pH changes occurred in the media, with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between buffered and non-buffered media. In all algal species, acclimatization was observed with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between SGRs of the second and third cultivations. ANOVA of SGRs in the acclimatized second and third cultivations revealed preferences for nitrogen sources among most of the algae; C. vulgaris preferred sodium nitrate over other nitrogen sources, A. protothecoides adapted to urea after no growth in the first cultivation, and the SGRs of N. oculata showed an aversion for sodium nitrate over other nitrogen sources (P < 0.05).

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the European Commission (EC) Economically and Ecologically Efficient Water Management in the European Chemical Industry (E4Water) project (grant agreement no.: 280756).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 113, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

    Michael Podevin, Davide De Francisci, Susan L. Holdt & Irini Angelidaki

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  1. Michael Podevin
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  2. Davide De Francisci
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  3. Susan L. Holdt
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  4. Irini Angelidaki
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Correspondence to Irini Angelidaki.

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Podevin, M., De Francisci, D., Holdt, S.L. et al. Effect of nitrogen source and acclimatization on specific growth rates of microalgae determined by a high-throughput in vivo microplate autofluorescence method. J Appl Phycol 27, 1415–1423 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0468-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0468-2

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