Methodology development of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for microalgae discrimination

• Grant number: 16/08546-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Armando Augusto Henriques Vieira
• Grantee: Marcelo Malisano Barreto Filho
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50054-4 - Biodiversity of freshwater microalgae: germplasm bank and obtaining of molecular markers of cryopreserved species, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

The microalgae of the class Chlorophyceae have extensive ecologic importance and remarkable diversity in fresh water habitats. However, the understanding and corrected identification of their members demand more studies. As bacteria, the traditional species concept do not apply to much of the group, and even molecular biology methods present limitations to achieve it. Thus, it has been proposed a polyphasics approach which makes use of a diverse number of techniques to study them. One of these applied techniques is the Fourier Transform Infraed Spectroscopy. It has shown remarkable capacity to discriminate microorganisms to provide classifications consistent with molecular biology analysis. Yet, in order to expand FTIR use, the methodology has to be improved. The biggest hindrance is that the physiologic state of the culture may influence spectra and jeopardize the corrected discrimination and classification of organisms. This study wants to understand why some spectral windows are more affected than others by the physiologic state of the cells, then to get rid of them. In this way these variations can be minimized, and a bigger number of cultures, with lower volume, could be cultivated simultaneously. It will contribute to the creation of a spectral library which then could be used to compare with our molecular data. On the other hand, to identify these physiologic variable windows will support more studies on the physiologic concept of species.