Effect of Protocatechuic Acid on Euglena gracilis Growth and Accumulation of Metabolites

Xiaomiao Tan, Jiangyu Zhu and Minato Wakisaka
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Xiaomiao Tan: Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan
Jiangyu Zhu: Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan
Minato Wakisaka: Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-11

Abstract: The development of efficient, environmentally friendly, low-cost approaches used to boost the growth of microalgae is urgently required to meet the increasing demands for food supplements, cosmetics, and biofuels. In this study, the growth promotion effects of protocatechuic acid (PCA) in the freshwater microalga Euglena gracilis were confirmed for the first time. PCA is a simple phenolic compound derived from natural plants and has a range of biological functions. The highest biomass yield, 3.1-fold higher than that of the control, used at 1.3 g·L −1 , was obtained at 800 mg·L −1 of PCA. The yields of the metabolites chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and paramylon in the presence of PCA at 800 mg·L −1 were 3.1, 3.3, and 1.7 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. The highest paramylon yield was achieved at a lower dosage of PCA (100 mg·L −1 ), which is considered to be feasible for economic paramylon production. The growth and biosynthesis of metabolites stimulated by phytochemicals such as PCA could be an efficient and cost-effective strategy to enhance the productivity of microalgae in large-scale cultivations.

Keywords: E. gracilis; protocatechuic acid; photosynthetic pigments; paramylon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9158-:d:439595

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