Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities

Microalgae are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. However, their production requires strategies to enhance metabolic responses. This study explores how <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> responds to different salinity conditions using a two-stage cultivation strategy, assessing the change i...

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Main Authors: Ana S. Pinto, Carolina Maia, Sara A. Sousa, Tânia Tavares, José C. M. Pires
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Bioengineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/284
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author Ana S. Pinto
Carolina Maia
Sara A. Sousa
Tânia Tavares
José C. M. Pires
author_facet Ana S. Pinto
Carolina Maia
Sara A. Sousa
Tânia Tavares
José C. M. Pires
author_sort Ana S. Pinto
collection DOAJ
description Microalgae are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. However, their production requires strategies to enhance metabolic responses. This study explores how <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> responds to different salinity conditions using a two-stage cultivation strategy, assessing the change in amino acid and carotenoid content on microalgae over time. First, microalgae were cultivated under optimal conditions, followed by exposure to different salinity levels (150 mM and 300 mM NaCl). Growth kinetics, nutrient uptake, and biochemical composition were analysed, revealing distinct salinity-induced responses. Similar specific growth rates were achieved across all assays, while nitrate removal improved under salinity and phosphate uptake decreased. Amino acid profiling showed significant declines in the content of several compounds and carotenoid content also presented declining trends, although moderate salinity mitigated degradation in key pigments. Principal component analysis identified high correlations between amino acids and carotenoids contents, forming groups of compounds with similar variations. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the salinity-induced response of <i>C. vulgaris</i>, offering insights for biotechnology applications. By optimising cultivation conditions, salinity could enhance bioactive compound retention, supporting the development of sustainable microalgae-based products.
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publisher MDPI AG
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spelling doaj-art-e578413543f844af940a8853dc6ef4532025-08-20T02:11:00ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-03-0112328410.3390/bioengineering12030284Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different SalinitiesAna S. Pinto0Carolina Maia1Sara A. Sousa2Tânia Tavares3José C. M. Pires4LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalMicroalgae are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. However, their production requires strategies to enhance metabolic responses. This study explores how <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> responds to different salinity conditions using a two-stage cultivation strategy, assessing the change in amino acid and carotenoid content on microalgae over time. First, microalgae were cultivated under optimal conditions, followed by exposure to different salinity levels (150 mM and 300 mM NaCl). Growth kinetics, nutrient uptake, and biochemical composition were analysed, revealing distinct salinity-induced responses. Similar specific growth rates were achieved across all assays, while nitrate removal improved under salinity and phosphate uptake decreased. Amino acid profiling showed significant declines in the content of several compounds and carotenoid content also presented declining trends, although moderate salinity mitigated degradation in key pigments. Principal component analysis identified high correlations between amino acids and carotenoids contents, forming groups of compounds with similar variations. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the salinity-induced response of <i>C. vulgaris</i>, offering insights for biotechnology applications. By optimising cultivation conditions, salinity could enhance bioactive compound retention, supporting the development of sustainable microalgae-based products.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/284amino acidsbiomass productivitybiotechnological applicationsβ-caroteneluteinneoxanthin
spellingShingle Ana S. Pinto
Carolina Maia
Sara A. Sousa
Tânia Tavares
José C. M. Pires
Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
Bioengineering
amino acids
biomass productivity
biotechnological applications
β-carotene
lutein
neoxanthin
title Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
title_full Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
title_fullStr Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
title_full_unstemmed Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
title_short Amino Acid and Carotenoid Profiles of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> During Two-Stage Cultivation at Different Salinities
title_sort amino acid and carotenoid profiles of i chlorella vulgaris i during two stage cultivation at different salinities
topic amino acids
biomass productivity
biotechnological applications
β-carotene
lutein
neoxanthin
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/284
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