Discovery of chemical stimulants for microalgae growth
Biomass and metabolites of the unicellular green algae Chlorella vulgaris are used or have prospects of application in various fields: food industry, agriculture, fish farming, production of cosmetics and medicines (see the table below).
The objective of our research is to search for small organic molecules (molecules with a molecular weight of less than 1 kDa) that affect the growth of Chlorella and the production of valuable metabolites by its cells. To reach this goal, we use a screening method: we add various chemical molecules to the algae culture (mainly from the group of heterocyclic compounds) and after a few days we measure change of biomass in control and experimental samples. Substances that increase the cell growth, we subject to further, more detailed study.
Our scientific partners in this work are the Department of Organic Chemistry of the Chemical Faculty of the Perm State University and the Laboratory of Agrobiophotonics of the Perm Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
TableApplications of metabolites from Chlorella sp.
| Primary metabolites |
|---|
| Group |
Metabolite |
Application |
Reference |
|---|
| Chlorophylls |
Chlorophyll A |
Production of antioxidants |
10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735562 |
| Chlorophyll B |
| Proteins and amino acids |
Mycosporine-like amino acids |
Anticancer agents |
10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.11.003 |
| Fatty acids |
Linolenic, palmitoleic |
Antiinflammatory agents |
10.1016/j.plipres.2018.07.001 |
| Carbohydrates |
β-1,3-glucan |
Immunostimulants
that reduce the amount
of free radicals and
cholesterol in the blood |
10.1155/2015/835761 |
| Rhamnose |
Production of biofuels,
production of highly
sulfated
polysaccharides
(antiviral agents) |
10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.007 |
| Arabinose |
| Xylose |
| Glucose |
| Mannose |
| Vitamins |
Thiamine (B1) |
Food supplements |
10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735562
|
| Cyanocobalamin (B12) |
| Pyridoxine (B6) |
| Biotin (B7) |
| Retinol (A) |
Cosmetology (acne teratment) |
10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.007 |
| Secondary metabolites |
|---|
| Group |
Metabolite |
Application |
Reference |
|---|
| Alkaloids |
Food additives, antioxidants |
10.1002/jsfa.6023 |
| Flavonoids |
| Fatty acids |
Oleic acid |
IFlavorings,
emulsifiers,
paper production |
10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735562 |
| Isoprenoids |
Sterol |
Antioxidants |
| Phytol |
| Carotenoids
(xanthophylls and
carotenes) |
Astaxanthin |
Component of fish feed |
10.1155/2015/835761 |
| Lutein |
Pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food
industries |
10.1002/jsfa.60231 |
| α-carotene |
10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735562 |
| β-carotene |
10.1002/jsfa.60231 |
Figure. A - screening of chemicals in 96-well plate; B - plates in the humid chamber illuminated with a white LED array
