What are the growth kinetics and biochemical compositions of microalgae isolated from diverse aquatic ecosystems in Morocco, France, and Tunisia?

Thirty-six microalgae belonging to five taxonomic groups (Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyceae, Diatomophyceae, Euglenophyceae, and Eustigmatophyceae) were identified from six freshwater ecosystems in Morocco, two treatment stations in Etueffont landfill in France and three hot spring waters in Tunisia. Investigations on species growth kinetics and growth rates showed that the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya gelatinosa exhibited both the highest biomass and growth rate with 4 g DW L-1 and 0.282 day-1, respectively. A significant protein production (more than 40% DW) was observed across the studied species. Cyanobacteria and chlorophytes stood out for their increased protein production with a maximum (66.63 ± 3.84% DW) attained by the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. Chlorophytes produced substantial amounts of carbohydrates (more than 20% DW). Euglenophytes including Phacus orbicularis and Euglena ehrenbergii along with the chlorophyte Graesiella sp. accumulated significant amounts of lipids (up to 31.12% DW).

Influence of salinity, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of two Chlorophyceae isolated from Fez freshwater, Morocco

Microalgae are widely exploited for numerous biotechnology applications, including biofuels. In this context, Chlamydomonas debaryana and Chlorococcum sp. were isolated from Fez freshwater (Morocco), and their growth and lipid and carbohydrate production were assessed at different concentrations of NaCl, NaNO3, and K2HPO4. The results indicate a small positive variation in growth parameters linked to nutrient enrichment, with no considerable variation in carbohydrate and lipid levels in both algae. Moreover, a negative variation was recorded at increased salinity and nutrient limitation, accompanied by lipid and carbohydrate accumulation. Chlorococcum sp. showed better adaptation to salt stress below 200 mM NaCl. Furthermore, its growth and biomass productivity were strongly reduced by nitrogen depletion, and its lipid production reached 47.64% DW at 3.52 mM NaNO3. As for Chlamydomonas debaryana, a substantial reduction in growth was induced by nutrient depletion, a maximal carbohydrate level was produced at less than 8.82 mM NaNO3 (40.59% DW). The effect of phosphorus was less significant. However, a concentration of 0.115 mM K2HPO4 increased lipid and carbohydrate content without compromising biomass productivity. The results suggest that growing the two Chlorophyceae under these conditions seems interesting for biofuel production, but the loss of biomass requires a more efficient strategy to maximize lipid and carbohydrate accumulation without loss of productivity.