Cited by 214Algal biology and biofuel productionMarine and coastal ecosystemsPhotosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Photosynthetic performance, lipid production and biomass composition in response to nitrogen limitation in marine microalgae

Jiang, Yuelu, Yoshida, Tomomi, Quigg, Antonietta·2012·Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Abstract

Increasing energy prices demand a renewable, carbon neutral, transport fuel that is environmentally and commercially sustainable. The interest in the production of microalgae as biofuels is increasing due to their high oil content, rapid biomass production and small foot print. In this research, marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyceae) and Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae) were incubated in nitrogen (N)-replete medium, and then transferred to N-free medium for 15 and 11 days, respectively. Fluorescence induction and relaxation (FIRe) fluorometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to monitor the photosynthetic performance, lipid production and metabolic responses to changing N availability. Growth rates of D. tertiolecta and T. pseudonana were 0.84 ± 0.16 d(-1) and 1.21 ± 0.09 d(-), respectively in N-replete medium. Upon transfer to N-free medium. The growth rates of T. pseudonana declined rapidly, while D. tertiolecta continued to grow for 5 days in N-free medium before growth declined slowly. The maximum quantum yield of photochemistry (F(v)/F(m)) remained high initially for D. tertiolecta but decreased immediately after transfer to N-free media for T. pseudonana. The functional absorption cross section for PSII (σ(PSII)) increased, the time constant for Q(A) reoxidation (τ(Qa)) and connectivity factor (p) decreased in parallel to the nutritional status of the microalgae. The relative protein and lipid content varied in response to N limitation, but carbohydrates did not change. Based on FTIR, D. tertiolecta and T. pseudonana produced 20-26% lipid when most stressed. The combination of photosynthetic efficiency and biomass composition monitoring provided evidence that metabolic strategies to changing nutrient status are species-specific.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.plaphy.2012.02.012

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Authors
Jiang, Y., Yoshida, T., & Quigg, A.
Affiliations
Texas A&M University at Galveston (US)
Corresponding author
Jiang, Yuelu
Venue
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-05
Volume
54
Pages
70-77
ISSN
0981-9428 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2016243360
Cited by
210
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 7
FWCI
6.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • Texas Emerging Technology Fund
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine and coastal ecosystems
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
Keywords
nitrogen limitation, marine microalgae, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Thalassiosira pseudonana, photosynthetic performance, lipid production, biomass composition, photosystem II, microalgal biofuels, growth rate
MeSH terms
Fertilizers, Lipids, Nitrogen, Oxidation-Reduction, Photosynthesis, Plant Proteins, Stress, Physiological, Ecosystem, Biomass, Photosystem II Protein Complex, Lipid Metabolism, Biofuels, Microalgae

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