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Impact of nutrient stress on antioxidant production in three species of microalgae
Goiris, K.; Van Colen, W.; Wilches, I.; Leon-Tamariz, F.; De Cooman, L.; Muylaert, K. (2015). Impact of nutrient stress on antioxidant production in three species of microalgae. Algal Research 7: 51-57. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2014.12.002
In: Algal Research. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 2211-9264, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    Microalgae; Nutrient stress; Physiological changes; Antioxidantformation

Authors  Top 
  • Goiris, K., more
  • Van Colen, W., more
  • Wilches, I.
  • Leon-Tamariz, F.
  • De Cooman, L., more
  • Muylaert, K., more

Abstract
    Microalgae are a novel source of sustainable natural antioxidants with various applications, including food preservation. To optimize antioxidant production in microalgae, we investigated the influence of nutrient limitation on antioxidant content in three species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis suecica and Chlorella vulgaris. Microalgae were cultivated in batch culture under nutrient replete, P- and N-limited conditions. Total antioxidant activity of the biomass was measured using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and square wave voltammetry. Additionally, contents of carotenoids, phenolics, tocopherols and ascorbic acid were measured. Nutrient limitation, particularly N-limitation, resulted in low antioxidant content. Both phenolic and carotenoid contents were significantly reduced in nutrient-limited cultures. In contrast tocopherols and ascorbic acid levels were higher in nutrient-limited cultures, particularly under P-limitation. Our results indicate that nutrient stress is not an effective strategy to enhance overall antioxidant content in microalgae, although it may be useful to enhance production of some vitamin antioxidants such as tocopherols or ascorbic acid.

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