Biochemical and Antioxidant Characteristics of Chlorococcum oleofaciens (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) under Various Cultivation Conditions

Abstract

Abstract: The functional state of enrichment cultures of the Chlorophycean strain Chlorococcum oleofaciens CAMU MZ–Ch4 under various cultivation conditions was studied. Experiments with different aeration conditions, cultivation durations, and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the medium were carried out to evaluate the growth dynamics of the strain and its biochemical characteristics. The contents of chlorophylls, carotenoids, proteins, lipids, retinol, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase), and succinate dehydrogenase activity were measured. The lipid content on the fully supplemented Bold’s basal medium increased to 381.03 mg g−1 dry weight at the late stationary growth phase. This value is 1.3–2.8 times higher than in other experiments. The use of aeration was associated with an increased content of proteins at 283.56 mg g−1 and of carotenoids at 2.12 mg g−1. Also, cultures at the early stationary growth phase with aeration showed the ability to accumulate phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid in amounts up to 0.32 mg g−1 and 0.19 mg g−1. The 74-day-old cultures had the highest contents of retinol (0.16 mg g−1) and α-tocopherol (0.68 mg g−1). Growth in nitrogen- and phosphorus-depleted media increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. A comprehensive analysis of all data showed that the antioxidant defence system is stress-resistant and flexible under varying aeration conditions and nitrogen and phosphorus availabilities. Thus, the strain CAMU MZ–Ch4 can be considered a potential producer of lipids, pigments, proteins, and vitamins under various culturing conditions.